Minority senators join calls for release of Amanda Echanis, baby

HER FATHER’S DAUGHTER Amanda Soccoro Echanis, a peasant organizer, carries her month-old son, Randall Emmanuel, following her arrest early on Wednesday. Police say they found an assault rifle, ammunition, and two grenades in her house in Baggao, Cagayan province. She named her son after her father, Randall, the slain consultant to communist rebels in the aborted peace talks. —PNP CAGAYAN PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate minority bloc on Friday joined calls for the release of activist Amanda Echanis and her baby from detention for humanitarian reasons.

Echanis was arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning in Baggao, Cagayan for illegal possession of firearms and explosives. She was taken into custody with her son.

“We call on the authorities to release Amanda Echanis and her baby for humanitarian reasons ASAP,” said Minority Leader Franklin Drilon and senators Leila de Lima, Risa Hontiveros, and Francis Pangilinan in a joint statement.

“Jail is not a place for a mother and her one-month-old boy she is nursing,” they added.

Authorities should ensure proper treatment for the mother and child, citing the death of River Nasino who died while her mother, activist Reina Mae Nasino, was in prison.

“We hope our authorities have learned a thing or two about compassion and humanity from that incident, so as not to have a repeat of an avoidable tragedy,” the senators said.

The senators also called for a swift investigation of Amanda’s case and the killing of her father peace consultant Randall Echanis who was found dead in his house in August.

“Due process, justice, and compassion must be accorded to all, no matter their beliefs,” the senators said. Miggy Dumlao, trainee

/MUF