Daughter of slain peace consultant, baby held in Cagayan; Group claims arrest ‘illegal’

Photo from Anakpawis

MANILA, Philippines — The daughter of slain peace consultant Randall “Ka Randy” Echanis and her one-month old newborn son were arrested in Barangay Carupian Baggao, in Cagayan on early Wednesday morning, police said.

“Meron na anti-criminal enforcement kanina. Totoo ‘yan [Amanda Echanis’ arrest], it is a search warrant conducted by CIDG (Criminal Investigation Detection Group),” Police Regional Office 2 Regional Director Brigadier General Crizaldo Nieves said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net when sought for confirmation regarding Amanda Lacaba Echanis in Cagayan this morning.

(There was anti-criminal enforcement earlier. That report is true. It is a search warrant conducted by the CIDG.)

According to Anakpawis, Amanda was arrested around 3:30 am and was charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Her newborn son is with her.

Earlier police reports, meanwhile, simply identified her as “Alyas Waya,” alleged finance officer of CPP-NPA Cagayan. pic.twitter.com/ACxcsFIhGE

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) December 2, 2020

In a statement, Anakpawis party-list said Amanda was charged with illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and illegal possession of explosives. Amanda and her newborn son were apprehended after the police served a search warrant at the house of Anakpawis Cagayan Valley Chairman Isabelo “Buteng” Adviento.

Anakpawis condemned Amanda’s arrest, saying it was “illegal” because the “evidence was planted.”

“We assert that [Amanda] Echanis was arrested on planted evidence. She just gave birth to her first child. We call on her immediate and unconditional release on just, humanitarian grounds,” Anakpawis said.

The Echanis patriarch, who was also the former Anakpawis chairman, was killed inside his apartment in Quezon City last August 10.