PNP says QC cops did not make lapses in investigating Echanis death

August 13, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday said they did not see any lapses in how the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) handled the investigation on the death of Anakpawis chairperson Randall Echanis.

“At this point, we don't see any lapses or violations on the part of the investigating body. As always whenever there is an investigation ongoing we always give them the presumption of regularity,” said Police Brig. General Bernard Banac PNP spokesperson,  in a TV interview.

Banac said they allowed the investigators to perform their tasks

“So, we think they have done their job well to establish the identity of the person very clearly and surely and after having it identified properly through fingerprint analysis  that's why they came to that conclusion that Manuel Santiago and Randall Echanis is one and the same person,” he said.

On Wednesday, Quezon City police director Brig. General Ronnie Montejo confirmed that one of the victims in the stabbing incident in Novaliches last August 10 is Echanis.

As to the issue of the victim’s remains, Banac said the police are just being careful as the identification card found at Echanis' rented apartment has a different name.

“Yes we had to be very careful in handling the case because this involves identification of a person. As you know in criminal investigation and legal proceedings it is important to properly identify a person’s dead body,” he said.

“So it is important to establish the real identity. So well fortunately, there is no family who come forward looking for Santos and the family of Echanis is the one who claimed,” he added.

In a separate interview, Banac welcomed the investigation  by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ).

“The PNP welcomes the parallel investigation of NBI on the murder case of two individual including Randall Echanis. This will not affect our goal in solving the case and make the suspects liable,” Banac said.

He also clarified police have no involvement in the incident.

Banac said as of now the investigation unit of QCPD  are still looking for identities and gathering information, including CCTVs in the area that might have captured pictures of the suspects.

“They are still in pursuit of the suspects at this time,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS