Palace: Wait for probe results before pinning Echanis’ death on anyone

August 10, 2020

The militant groups should wait first for the results of the investigation before blaming the government forces for the killing of National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Randall Echanis and his neighbor in Novaliches, Quezon City, Malacañang said on Monday.

"Let's wait for results of police investigation before pinning death of Enchanis on anyone," said Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque in a Viber message to reporters.

The Anakpawis partylist has accused state forces of stabbing Enchanis inside his rented house in the wee hours of the morning on Monday.

Activist groups and their leaders have denounced Echanis' death. His neighbor was also killed in the incident.

According to former Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, Echanis' death showed a "culture of extrajudicial killings with impunity under the Duterte regime."

The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson emeritus Rafael Mariano, in a statement, said that while the country is bearing the onslaught of the coronavirus disease pandemic, the "state-backed mercenaries and death squads remain on the loose and wreaking havoc on activists and freedom fighters."

Echanis, 72, was also the deputy secretary-general of KMP. Celerina Monte/DMS