Groups from different sectors on Wednesday banded together at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City for a protest action called the Global Day of Action for Justice against alleged extrajudicial killings in the country.
They came out to denounce the recent slaying of Anakpawis peasant leader and peace consultant Randall “Randy” Echanis and Karapatan human rights activist Zara Alvarez.
Echanis was killed in his rented home in Novaliches, Quezon City last August 10, while Alvarez was gunned down in Mandalagan, Bacolod City on Monday night.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate observed that these have occurred following the termination by President Duterte of the peace talks.
He also cited the still unsolved killing of Kadamay’s Carlito Badion in Leyte and Bayan Muna’s Jory Porquia in Iloilo.
Joining the protest were the youth, farmers, urban poor, workers, human rights advocates, fisherfolk, and activists.
Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said they believe the state security forces were behind the spate of killings, citing threats and harassment that preceded the activists’ slaying.
As Karapatan was also marking its 25th founding anniversary, Palabay vowed their continuing advocacy for advancement of people’s rights.