Slain National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant and Anakpawis chairman Randy Echanis’ daughter Amanda Echanis was arrested along with her one-month-old son Barangay Carupian in Baggao, Cagayan, Anakpawis said Wednesday.
According to Anakpawis, combined military and police “illegally arrested” Randy Echanis’ daughter, who was a peasant women organizer in Cagayan. Her one-month-old son was also taken with her at 3:30 am yesterday, December 2.
Amanda Echanis was charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and illegal possession of explosives, Anakpawis said.
“The illegal arrest coincided with the raid of the house of Anakpawis Cagayan Valley Chairman Isabelo “Buting” Adviento in the same municipality in Cagayan,” the party-list said in a Facebook post.
Anakpawis Party-list vehemently denounces the illegal arrest of Echanis and persecution of Adviento.
“We assert that Echanis was arrested on planted evidence. She just gave birth to her first child. We call on her immediate and unconditional release on just, humanitarian grounds,” Anakpawis said.
Randy Echanis’ daughter, her 1-month-old son arrested in Cagayan
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana told GMA News Online that a judge issued a search warrant against Randy Echanis’ daughter for violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
“So, there was nothing wrong if this is the case. Search warrant can only be issued after probing questions from the examining judge with deposition of witnesses,” Usana said in a text message.
“If they have complaints, the PNP is open po. But again, evidence must be presented from their side,” he added.
Police reports said Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Regional Field Unit 2 and other PNP units imposed the search warrant at around 8:30 am. Judge Sheila Gacutan-Labuguen of the MTC 2nd Judicial Region (dated November 27, 2020) against Amanda Socorro Echanis, 32.
During the search, authorities seized one unit M16 ARIS Colt 5.56mm assault rifle with serial number 4951346, one-piece long plastic magazine for M16 rifle, one piece long steel magazine for M16 rifle, six pieces live ammunition for M16 rifle, thirteen pieces live ammunitions for M16 rifle, one piece live ammo for M16 rifle extracted from the chamber of the M16 rifle, one piece hand grenade with marking 0689, one piece hand grenade with marking frag MK2 with lot no.p-4-105-78 and subsequent arrest of Randy Echanis’ daughter.
In August, Randy Echanis and his neighbor, Louie Tagapia, were found dead in a rented house in Novaliches, Quezon City.