Palace denies Negros Oriental killings state-sponsored

August 2, 2019

Malacanang denied on Friday that the killings in Negros Oriental were state-sponsored, saying the "government condemns all forms of arbitrary killings."

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo was reacting to the claims of former Bayan Muna party-list Rep. and losing senatorial bet Neri Colmenares who blamed police for the violence in Negros Oriental.

"We agree that justice must be delivered to the victims, as well as to the families of those who were killed in Negros Oriental. This government condemns all forms of arbitrary killings," Panelo said in a statement.

But he said, the remarks of Colmenares, along with his blaming the police for the spate of deaths, were "baseless and laced with malice."

Panelo, also chief presidential legal counsel, said Colmenares' statement was part of the "propaganda" of the Communist Party of the Philippines, "to which obviously he subscribes and parrots, to discredit the Administration and the security forces of the government, while trying to give himself the appearance of relevance after being repeatedly repudiated by the electorate in the national elections."

He accused Colmenares of apparently purposely turning deaf to the voice of the people.

While it was a "common knowledge" that the Communist Party of the Philippines-NPA has committed various crimes, he accused Colmenares of never condemning any of the "atrocious and illegal acts" of the Maoist group.

This, Panelo said, not only demonstrates Colmenares' use of double standards when it comes to his principle, "but also shows where his loyalty belongs."

"It is time for the Left and its supporters and leaders to stop throwing everything to the government and admit that theirs is a failed rebellion. It is time for them to join the rest of their surrenderers who have been coming out in droves as they respond to the call of the President to return to the democratic society and embrace constitutional order," he added. 

At least 21 people were reported killed in Negros Oriental since July 18, when four policemen were shot dead and allegedly tortured by the Maoist rebels. Celerina Monte/DMS