Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) demands an end to the Duterte administration’s serial killing of peace consultants. “We have long desired for a just and lasting peace for this nation. We have supported all efforts at establishing peace based on social justice since the beginning. But the serial killing of National Democratic Front of the Philippines’ peace consultants under the Duterte regime has made this vision more and more elusive,” KMP National Chairperson Danilo Ramos laments.

KMP issued the statement after the brutal murder of Randy Echanis, KMP deputy secretary, Anakpawis chairperson, and NDFP peace consultant last August 10, 2020. Echanis is the third NDFP peace consultant killed under the Duterte regime after the assassination of Randy Malayao last January 2019 and the murder of Julius Giron last March 13, 2020.

Ramos explains, “understanding that social unrest and armed conflict rests upon mass hunger and poverty, we are devoted to ending armed conflict in the country by achieving and implementing substantive socio-economic reforms, such as free land distribution for farmers and genuine rural development. Echanis and Malayao, in particular, are among the NDFP peace consultants who have rigorously pushed for such reforms. Their death at the hands of state-backed paramilitary agents are serious setbacks at achieving a just peace.” 

“Pinakamasahol nang pagpatay sa kapayapaan ang nangyayari sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte. We fear that the current government does not fully see the implications of these serial killings. This must stop and the murderers of Echanis and other peace consultants be held accountable. If renowned peace advocates are already being killed under this administration now, what more when the railroaded Terror Law is implemented? Anong adbokasiya pa ang ligtas?” Ramos ends. #