QCPD relents, says slain Novaliches resident was NDFP consultant Echanis

Police on Wednesday finally said that the body found inside a rented house in Novaliches, Quezon City was that of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randall Echanis.

At a press briefing in Camp Karingal, QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo announced that a fingerprint test confirmed the identity of one of the bodies, which police earlier identified as Manuel Santiago.

"On August 12, 2020, [the] Criminal Investigation Unit under Police Major Elmer Monsalve received the copy of the result of the said examination under Dactyloscopy Report no. F-392-2020 with findings, 'Fingerprint in the identification card bearing the name Randall Anacleto B. Echanis marked as 'S-3' is identical with the right thumb appearing on the postmortem fingerprint chart of one Manuel Santiago marked as 'S-2' issued by Police Lieutenant Colonel Ma. Elizabeth C. Bulan, chief QCPD Crime Laboratory Office'," Montejo said.

"Ibig sabihin, Randall Anacleto B. Echanis and Manuel Santiago is one and the same person. Napatunayan na rin po na iisang tao lang sila," he added.

Montejo said the family of Echanis already presented the necessary documents so that they could get his body.

Monsalve added that Echanis' wife, Erlinda, is set to give her statement to authorities.

"Nagkaroon na tayo ng proof of relationship... nai-present naman po niya ngayon, kaya ayon pagkatapos po noon, ituturnover na po sa kaniya 'yung cadaver," Monsalve said at the same press briefing.

Montejo also apologized to Echanis' grieving family, saying that police are just following protocols.

"Sa mga kamag-anak, pasensiya na po sa inyo. Sana maintindihan niyo kami. Iniingatan lang po ng investigator ang trabaho nila. Para rin po sa inyo ito," he said.

Leftist group Anakpawis had said Echanis, 72, and an unidentified neighbor were killed inside a rented residence on August 10.

Echanis' wife, Erlinda, identified one of the bodies found in the residence as that of her husband.

However, the police insisted that the bodies found were that of one Manuel Santiago and a certain Louie Tagapia.

Cops took back the body, which was allegedly obtained without permission by Anakpawis members, as they insisted that only family members were allowed to get a cadaver.

Police also asked for sufficient evidence to prove that the body was that of Echanis. They suggested that a DNA testing could be done to identify the body.

Motives

Montejo said police are checking all possible motives for the killing, including robbery and personal grudge. He added that authorities will look into the relationship between Tagapia, who was allegedly a gang member, and Echanis.

"Marami po tayong tinitingnan, lahat po ng anggulo, kinokonsidera po natin pero dito sa situation, 'yung mga modus kasi na ganoon, akyat-bahay... kaya napilitan silang manglaban tapos humantong sa ganoon, patayan..." Montejo said.

"The other angle naman po na tinitingnan natin, personal grudge kasi itong si Louie Tagapia mas matindi 'yung ano sa kaniya, 'yung tama... parang may galit sa kaniya... hindi natin masabi sa ngayon paano nadamay si Randall Echanis," he added.

Montejo also said that Echanis gave the name "Manuel Santiago" to the landlady and they could not say yet why he did this. -NB/BM, GMA News