MANILA – Malacañang denied claims that state forces were behind the recent murder of Negros-based activist Zara Alvarez, saying the public should just wait for the result of the investigation of the case.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said it is not right to blame the government for the death of Alvarez as well as peasant leader Randall Echanis, who was found dead in Quezon City last week.
“Blaming state forces for these murders is unfounded. Investigation is now underway. Let us wait for the formal report from authorities,” he added.
Justice secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier said they were looking if the death of Alvarez would fall through its mechanism on politically-motivated killings.
“We may consider her case for special investigation under AO 35 after some fact-checking,” Guevarra said.
AO 35 aims to prosecute politically-motivated killings where prosecutors lead a team of investigators from law enforcement agencies.
Alvarez was shot dead Monday night in Bacolod City. She was a teacher, a single mother and a former campaign and education director and a current paralegal of human rights group Karapatan.
Bacolod City Police Office Station 3 chief Captain Richard Fajarito, who is investigating the murder, said they are looking into Alvarez’s affiliation with leftist organizations in determining the motive behind her killing.
“Hindi pa namin na-identify talaga ‘yung suspect sa pagbaril kay Zara at may mga information na nakaabot sa amin na ang biktima ay miyembro ng Bayan Negros o Karapatan,” Fajarito said in an interview with GMA News.
Citing the accounts of witnesses, Fajarito said a man was seen fleeing from the crime scene along Sta. Maria Street in Ereco Subdivision.
“Isa rin po ito sa mga anggulo na iniimbestigahan namin kung mayroong ano dito, kasi affiliated siya sa ganitong grupo.’Yan po ang isa sa mga anggulo na iniimbestigahan namin,” he added.
Alvarez, a former political prisoner, was the 13th human rights worker from their group who was killed during the Duterte administration, Karapatan secretary general Cristina Palabay said./PN