Sinas: No planting of evidence in Echanis’ house

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas on Thursday denied that law enforcers planted high-powered firearms and explosives when they arrested Amanda Echanis.

“Iyong sinabi nilang planting [of evidence] hindi po totoo iyon. Papano ka magplant ng mga baril? Mga bago, high caliber. Mahirap mag-plant doon, bahay niya [Echanis] iyon e,” Sinas told ABS-CBN News Channel when asked about Anakpawis statement that the pieces of evidence were planted during the apprehension of Echanis.

(When they said that evidence was planted, that is not true. How can you plant firearms? These are new, high-caliber firearms. It would not be easy to plant these things. That’s her home.)

It is also the law enforcers’ job to “trace violations of Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act,” Sinas explained.

Sinas, earlier, tagged Echanis, daughter of slain peace consultant Randall Echanis, as a member of the underground communist movement.

Amanda Echanis was arrested in Cagayan after police raided her house and seized ammunition, guns, and explosives. Amanda and her one-year-old baby are staying at Cagayan police’s Criminal Investigation Detection Group.

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas also accused law enforcers of planting evidence on red-tagged activists and farmers. They said it was the usual handiwork of lawmen in Negros Oriental where Sinas previously led as regional director. [ac]