PNP set raps vs slain NDFP consultant's kin

ARITAO, Nueva Vizcaya -- The Philippine National Police will file charges against three persons for allegedly obstructing the ongoing investigation on the killing of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Randy Malayao.

Police Regional Office-Cagayan Valley Director Jose Mario Espino said charges of obstruction of justice, grave coercion and grave threat will be filed against Edu Balgos, legal counsel of activist group Karapatan; his wife Rina, who is a former board member of Nueva Vizcaya; and Malayao’s sister Perla, who is an employee of the Dept. of the Interior and Local Government National Capital Region.

Malayao was killed on Jan. 30 while sleeping on board an Isabela-bound bus in Aritao around 2 a.m.

Nueva Vizcaya Police Director Jeremias Aglugub and Aritao Municipal Police Station head Chief Inspector Geovanni Cejes were ordered relieved by PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde due to mishandling of vital pieces of evidence on the case.

In particular, Cejes allegedly allowed the release of several pieces of evidence, including Malayao’s cellphone, which could have contained information that may help the ongoing investigation.

“We have lost thousands of valuable intelligence information about the CPP/NPA/NDF including their leaders led by Jose Ma. Sison with the release of the laptop computer, six cell phones and other valuable pieces of evidence found in the victim’s possession to his family,” said Espino.

However, Espino said Cejes was just threatened by the Balgoses.

Cejes said Rina introduced herself as a relative of Malayao and asked the police to give her the victim’s valuables and questioned the police process on investigating the case.

Cejes said he tried to explain to Rina that the ongoing process, particularly the keeping of the victim’s things as part of investigation, is part of their Standard Operating Procedure.

He said Peral arrived and initially allowed the police to keep his brother’s valuables but changed her mind after being confronted by Rina.

Cejes said Edu then came and confronted him.

“Anong karapatan mo na i-hold ang mga gamit ng biktima, violation ng human rights yan, di mo alam ang ginagawa mo,” Cejes said Edu told him.

Cejes said he tried to explain that the said pieces of evidence will be included in the filing of charges against the suspects in the killing, but Perla said they are no longer interested in pursuing the case.

Meanwhile, the Cagayan Valley police released the CCTV footage that captured Malayao’s killing.

In the CCTV footage, a man was caught taking a picture of the bus where Malayao boarded as it left its terminal in Quezon City around 9 p.m. of January 29.

When the bus made a stop-over in Aritao, two men were caught smoking outside the bus and one of them boarded the bus minutes later and shot Malayao to death.

Chief Supt. Jose Mario Espino, Cagayan Valley regional director, recommended the relief of Aglugub and Cejes

Aglugub and Cejes reportedly turned over the cell phone, laptop, various identification cards and documents recovered from Malayao to his sister.

Espino said he gave instructions not to release the recovered items while the investigation is ongoing.

Espino said the evidence could have shed light on the incident, noting that probers are looking into allegations that the Maglayao was a commander of the New People’s Army in Cagayan Valley. 

Supt. Chevalier Iringan, Cagayan Valley police information officer, said they have not received any order from Camp Crame as of press time.

”Because we are under the election period, the Commission on Elections has to confirm any relief order before its implementation,” Iringan said.  ­

Erwin Valeroso, Nueva Vicaya election supervisor, said the relief or transfer of police officials during the election ban could be done in the exigency of public service.

However, Valeroso said they have yet to receive the relief order.

Meanwhile, authorities have released the sketches of two suspects in the killing.

One was said to be wearing a mask, between 5’4” to 5’6” in height, with medium build and was wearing a gray hooded jacket. 

The other suspect was between  5’3” to 5’6” in height and was wearing a yellow t-shirt and brown shorts.

Police said a passenger seated adjacent to Malayao is considered a person of interest. The passenger reportedly boarded another bus following the shooting.  

The NDF said it is reconsidering negotiations with the government following the murder of Malayao.

”The heinous murder manifests the scheme of the Duterte  regime to shun peace negotiations, escalate its attacks on the people and their leaders and use its all-out war on revolutionary forces,” Communist Party of the Philippines founding chairman Jose Ma. Sison said in a statement posted on the NDF website.  – With Victor Martin, Jose Rodel Clapano