NDFP consultant Echanis' body 'taken' by cops, widow says

Policemen took the remains of National Democratic Front of the Philippines consultant Randall Echanis from the funeral parlor on Monday night, his widow Erlinda has said.

According to a tweet by the Anakpawis party-list which Echanis chaired, Erlinda in a statement accused members of the PNP of "snatching the remains."

"More than 10 policemen from La Loma PNP forcibly took the cadaver and will return it to Pink Petal Funeral Homes in La Loma, Quezon City under their custody," Erlinda said.

MGA Labi ng sinasabing ndf consultant na si Randy echanis kinuha ng mga pulis SA St. Peter’s funeral@parlor SA Quezon Ave para IBALIK SA ISANG punenarya SA laloma qc , pamilya ng ndf consultant umalma dahil sapilitang tinangay umano ang BANGKAY ?@dzbb? pic.twitter.com/J7heEl02rC

— Rodil Vega (@Rodveg72) August 10, 2020

A peasant activist and peace consultant, Echanis was reported killed in Quezon City on Monday.

Echanis, 72, and an unidentified neighbor were killed at a rented house in Novaliches early August 10, Anakpawis said in a statement.

Former Anakpawis representative Ariel Casilao said Echanis was undergoing medical treatment and unarmed when "police forces" raided his house.

A report by Allan Gatus on Dobol B sa News TV, meanwhile, said Echanis was found dead after five men were seen leaving his house.

Echanis was a long-time NDFP consultant and a member of the NDFP committee on socio-economic reforms.

He was part of peace talks with the Duterte administration from 2016 to 2017, Anakpawis said.

Not Echanis, says QCPD chief

Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo later indicated that Echanis wasn't among those killed. He said initial investigation showed that the two victims were identified as Louie Tagapia, 48, and a certain Manuel Santiago.

Montejo said investigators verified the identities of the victims through identification cards and matched the photos and the victims’ faces.

“Base sa report na binigay investigation unit natin kung saan may na-recover silang identification at ‘yong identification card mayroon namang picture at ito rin po ay hawig din doon sa victim na Manuel Santiago,” Montejo said at a press conference.

“Sa ngayon, unless otherwise na may proof na kung ano ‘yong sinasabi nilang pangalan, siguro sa ngayon manindigan tayo na si Manuel Santiago kasi ito naman ‘yong kakilala,” he added. -NB, GMA News