Cops prevent Mass for NDFP consultant Echanis

Police allegedly prevented the holding of Mass for slain National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Randall Echanis in front of a funeral parlor in La Loma, Quezon City on Wednesday.

Gabriela Women's Party Representative Arlene Brosas told reporters that the Holy Mass was banned due to the strict implementation of quarantine protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic. She said a solidarity prayer was just offered for Echanis.

"Ngayon po ay nagkaroon tayo ng pagdadasal, hindi tayo pinayagang magmisa eh. Hindi full length na misa 'yung ginanap ngayon kahit na mayroon tayong health measures na ginawa tulad ng physical distancing at naga-alcohol naman tayo," Brosas said.

"I'm sure lahat naman dito ay ayaw magkasakit... hindi tayo nakapagmisa ng full blown," she added.

URGENT! The police are trying to hold Redemptorist’s ecumenical mass being held in front of the Pink Petal Memorial where Ka Randy Echanis’ remains are being withheld. According to them, it is a “violation” of the MECQ. pic.twitter.com/cmdS9FYAH0

— Anakpawis Party-list (@AnakpawisPL) August 12, 2020

GMA News Online has reached out to the Quezon City Police District for comment on the matter but it has yet to issue a statement.

The lawmaker is hoping that the remains of Echanis will be turned over to his family soon.

"Ang inaasahan natin ngayon ay marelease na 'yung body kasi 'yun naman talaga 'yung panawagan ng pamilya. Kitang-kita naman natin na wala namang reason para hindi ibigay sa pamilya 'yung katawan ng namatay," Brosas said.

Echanis' wife, Erlinda, had already identified that the body found dead inside a rented house in Novaliches was her husband.

However, police have been insisting that those found inside the house were Manuel Santiago and Louie Tagapia so they took back the body, which was allegedly obtained without permission by Anakpawis members.

Meanwhile, Brosas wants the international community to know the murder of Echanis because he is a consultant of the NDFP, noting that his death has an impact to socio-political and economic affairs.

"Hindi po biro na isang peace consultant ang pinatay. Kasi peace consultant po 'yun eh. May implication 'yun sa socio-political economic conditions ng ating bayan," Brosas said.—AOL, GMA News