ECHANIS BURIED
The opposition Makabayan bloc has formally sought a congressional inquiry into the circumstances behind the Aug. 10 murder of Anakpawis chair Randy Echanis, whose body was forcibly taken by police officers from his family’s custody.
In filing House Resolution No. 1131, the six Makabayan lawmakers urged the House human rights committee to launch an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the killing of the 71-year-old Echanis, also a consultant in peace talks between the government and the communist-led National Democratic Front of the Philippines.
They said the activist leader’s “brutal” and “merciless killing” was an “unjustifiable and blatant attack on groups advocating peasant rights and genuine agrarian reform and all advocates for just peace and genuine social and economic reforms.”
“[It] is imperative for members of Congress, as representatives of our people, to defend the rights of our people and check on excesses and violations committed against them,” they said.
“Congress is duty-bound to conduct investigations to be able to uphold justice and protect the people against abuses especially during extraordinary times such as the COVID-19 pandemic,” the group said.
Champion
Echanis was killed by “suspected state-backed attackers” in his rented home in Novaliches, Quezon City, along with his neighbor Louie Tagapia, the Makabayan bloc said.
He suffered multiple stab wounds between the spine and neck along with bullet wounds and torture marks, while Tagapia was found with a stab wound in the head.
Echanis’ remains were identified by his wife and brought to a funeral home of the family’s choosing.
“However, in the evening, 10 police officers from Quezon
City Police District Station 1 forcibly took the cadaver without the family’s consent, citing the lack of a release order for the body,” the group said.
It added: “The paralegal who was guarding the body of Echanis was also arrested by Quezon City police officers for alleged obstruction of justice.”
A longtime champion of land reform, Echanis was arrested and detained thrice since the time of the Marcos regime.
“Echanis’ brutal murder was executed amid a culture of impunity under the administration of President Duterte who has himself made repeated remarks against protesters and critics, encouraging ‘shoot to kill’ orders and other threats to be carried out by state forces,” the Makabayan bloc said.
Echanis was buried on Monday noon at Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City. A short Mass was held at La Funeraria Paz in Quezon City in the morning.
With Erlinda, Echanis’ widow, were her son and daughter, Echanis’ sister Digna Mendoza and former Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao.
Supporters clad in white shirts printed with Echanis’ face, some carrying flags and banners, followed the truck, and formed a long line to give way to the coffin of the fallen activist when they reached the cemetery. All were wearing face masks and shields and observing physical distancing.
‘Revolutionary courage’
Echanis’ son Ranmill July said, raising his fist, “We are being tested by the Duterte regime. They are looking into the reaction of the community, of the people who fight. If we do not fight the tyrannical Duterte, we will be laughed at, persecuted and silenced.”
“What Ka Randy wants is for us to keep fighting; end the abuses and give justice for the repressed people,” he said.
Erlinda did not speak at the cemetery but earlier reminded the people to “turn your grief into revolutionary courage.”