PNP sees no lapses in how QCPD handled identification of Echanis' body

The Philippine National Police (PNP) sees no violation with how the Quezon City Police District handled the identification of the body found in Novaliches, Quezon City, which turned out to be that of National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Randall "Ka Randy" Echanis.

"At this point, we don't see any lapses or violations on the part of the investigation body. As always, when there's an investigation ongoing, we always give them the presumption of regularity. We allow them to perform their tasks. We think that they have done their job well to establish the identity of the person," PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac told CNN on Thursday.

Banac stressed that the police must be "very careful" especially since the case involved the identification of a body.

"As you know, in criminal investigation and legal proceedings, napakahalaga po ma-identify ang person lalo na dead body. Based on the rule of evidence, napakahalaga po na ma-identify properly," he said.

The QCPD had initially identified Echanis' body as one Manuel Santiago based on the identification card found inside the apartment where the crime took place last August 10.

Echanis' wife, Erlinda, had already identified that the body belongs to her husband, but authorities maintained that a fingerprint or DNA test should be done to confirm the body's real identity.

Police also said Erlinda must provide the necessary document to prove that she is the wife of the victim.

On Wednesday afternoon, QCPD chief Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo finally acknowledged that Santiago and Echanis are "one and the same person."

Montejo said this was confirmed through a fingerprint test.

Montejo apologized to Echanis' family, saying that police are just following protocols in identifying cadavers.

Meanwhile, former Anakpawis party-list Representative Ariel Casilao told GMA News Online that the Echanis family is still eyeing to file cases against the policemen who had prevented them from claiming the deceased's body.

"The lawyers are still... kumbaga naghahanda pa rin so possible administrative and criminal liability doon sa snatching, detention ng cadaver ni Ka Randy," Casilao said.

"After all this autopsy, and maluwag-luwagan na, we will focus on filing," he added.

Montejo said all possible angles would be looked into to determine the motive of the murder. Police will also determine the connection of Echanis to Louie Tagapia, the other victim who is believed to be a gang member.

On the other hand, Casilao maintained that the crime was politically-motivated.

Echanis' body was found with multiple stab wounds.  —KBK, GMA News