Daughter of slain Anakpawis chair nabbed for alleged possession of guns, explosives

Police in Baggao, Cagayan, said they seized an M16 rifle, two hand grenades, a magazine and ammunition from the house of Amanda Socorro Echanis, daughter of slain Anakpawis chairperson Randall Echanis. (Photo from the Cagayan Valley Police Regional Office)

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Cagayan, Philippines — Police in Cagayan province said they seized an M-16 assault rifle, a magazine, two hand grenades, and ammunition from the 32-year-old daughter of slain Anakpawis chairperson and peace consultant Randall Echanis.

Amanda Socorro Echanis, alias Waya and Julian, was arrested for alleged illegal possession of firearms and explosives at Barangay Carupian in Baggao town around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday, said Brig. Gen. Crizaldo Nieves, chief of the Cagayan Valley Police Regional Office.

She was with her 1-year-old baby when police arrested her.

Authorities accused Echanis of being the finance officer of the West Front-Komiteng Probinsya ng Cagayan (KOMPROB) of Cagayan Valley Regional Party Committee of New People’s Army operating in the region.

Police searched her house on the strength of a warrant issued by Judge Sheila Gacutan-Labuguen of Baggao Municipal Trial Court.

Amanda’s alleged fellow cadre, identified as Isabela Adviento, alias Buting, Buth, YC, Bom, Resty, Belen, Jorly, remained at large, investigators said.

Police said they seized from Adviento’s safe house in Barangay Carupian a 9mm Uzi submachine gun with five bullets, 60 bullets for an M-14 rifle, a hand grenade, 20 bullets for an M-26 rifle, two hand grenades, and an improvised explosive device.

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