Palace asks DSWD to protect welfare of one-month old child of arrested peasant organizer

December 3, 2020

Malacanang called on Thursday the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to make sure that the welfare of a one-month old child of an arrested peasant organizer is protected. According to Anakpawis, Amanda Lacaba Echanis, daughter of slain National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant and Anakpawis chairman Randy Echanis, was nabbed along with her newborn son in Barangay Carupian, Baggao, Cagayan. "I'm calling upon the DSWD to take steps to ensure that the welfare of the child will be protected," Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a televised press briefing in Palawan. He expressed hope that what happened to the three-month old child of jailed activist Reina Mae Nasino would not be repeated. Baby River Nasino died last October after getting sick while her mother, an activist, was in jail. Roque, however, said that even if Amanda has a newborn child, it did not mean that she would not be detained. "Having (an infant) is not a reason that you won't be detained anymore and won't be subjected to the process. But it is always the rule that government will take steps for the best interests of the child," Roque said. Amanda was arrested Wednesday and charged for illegal possession of firearms and explosives. Anakpawais, which condemned the arrest, claimed the evidence against Amanda was planted. The group called for her immediate and unconditional release on just, humanitarian grounds. Celerina Monte/DMS