PNP spox says no lapses so far on part of probers in Echanis slay case

MANILA, Philippines — There are no lapses seen so far on the part of police investigators who are handling the case of slain activist and peasant leader Randall “Ka Randy” Echanis, Philippine National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said Wednesday.

“Well, at this point, we don’t see any lapses or violations on the part of the investigation body as always whenever there is an investigation ongoing. We always give them the presumption of regularity. We allow them to perform their task,” Banac told CNN Philippines, responding to the television anchor’s query if there are possible violations committed by the police in the case.

“We think they have done their job well to establish the person very clearly,” he added.

Echanis and his neighbor were stabbed to death inside a Novaliches apartment on Monday morning. Initially, police identified his body as Manuel Santiago because of an identification card found in the crime scene.

Two days after the murder, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) finally confirmed it was Echanis who was killed after fingerprints from the recovered body matched a thumbprint from Echanis’ barangay card. The police also turned over his remains to his widow Erlinda after getting statements and the required documents.

Banac also reiterated that it was important for the law enforcers to identify the body properly through several examinations.

“In legal proceedings, in identifying a person, there are four disciplines involved. This may involve DNA, fingerprint analysis, odontology, yung paggamit sa dental records ,and then anthropology yung human image analysis,” Banac said.

Echanis’ body was first brought to the Pink Petals Funeral Homes in La Loma, Quezon City. Erlinda later had the body transferred to St. Peter’s Memorial along Quezon Avenue.

But Erlinda later claimed that Echanis’ body was “forcibly taken” by police officers.

Asked for an explanation, the QCPD said they returned the body to the Pink Petals Funeral Homes for investigation, claiming the body was “illegally” transferred. Anakpawis party-list later denied the allegation, saying they coordinated with the police to move the body.

/MUF