DOJ orders task force to probe Echanis reported death

August 11, 2020

The Department of Justice on Tuesday ordered the Task Force on Extra-Judicial Killing (EJK) to create a special investigating team to investigate the he alleged death of Anakpawis chairperson and National Democratic Front  (NDFP) consultant Randall  Echanis.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the task force must find out the identity of a person found dead in Novaliches on Monday.

The Quezon City police said the deceased was named Manuel Santiago despite claims by Anakpawis.

Guevarra said he would direct the National Bureau of Investigation’s (NBI) Forensic Investigation Division to determine if the deceased person's identity.

“Upon the assumption that the subject was indeed peasant leader Echanis, I have directed the AO (Administrative Order) 35 Task Force on EJK (extrajudicial killings)  to form a special investigating team to look into the incident. In view of the emerging confusion as to the identity of the subject, however, we shall await confirmation by the family of the deceased that the subject was indeed peasant leader Echanis,” said Guevarra.

Justice Undersecretary Markk Perete noted that while there had been reports that Erlinda, the wife of Echanis, had identified the body as that of her husband, a thorough forensic examination is needed. DMS