PR
MANILA – Government authorities will exhaust its efforts to give justice to the death of two human rights activists who were slain early this month, a Palace official assured.
In a statement, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar condemned the murder of National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ (NDFP) peace consultant Randall “Randy” Echanis and Negros-based activist Zara Alvarez, and assured that authorities will run after the perpetrators.
He also maintained that the Duterte administration will continue to strengthen the protection of civil society.
The Department of Justice (DOJ), through Inter-Agency Committee on Extra-Legal Killings, Enforced Disappearances, Torture and Other Grave Violations of the Right to Life, Liberty and Security of Persons, has already formed a special investigating team on Echanis’ death and has also recommended the inclusion of and the conduct of an inquiry into Alvarez’ death.
“It is within the Duterte administration’s interest and policy to support the role of activists in a pluralistic society,” Secretary Andanar said.
“The government has leveraged such role in pursuing the inclusive social agenda to promote programs and services for the welfare of all Filipinos,” he added.
The PCOO Chief also refuted claims that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte has allegedly deterred information-sharing and coordination between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Commission on Human Rights (CHR), noting these are “baseless, erroneous, and misleading”.
He likewise stressed that upholding the due process and rule of law will continue to be observed and promoted by this administration.
“We are invested in completing the investigations and prosecution of the perpetrators of such repulsive acts on political activists and seeing them brought to justice, for the families of their victims,” he added.
