Groups call for immediate dismissal of Echanis’ case, release of peasant leader

The peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines) and Free Randall Echanis Movement (FREEDOM) called for the dismissal of Randall Echanis’ case and his immediate release. Echanis is the Deputy Secretary-General for External Affairs of KMP, arrested on January 28 of last year, accused of the “mass graves” in Inopacan, Leyte, same case accused to Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo. KMP believes that the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG) was behind Echanis’ persecution as they were resolutely calling for genuine land reform and the ouster of Gloria Arroyo.

“We are demanding the dismissal of Ka Randy’s case as it is an obvious political persecution by the Arroyo government to the peasant movement. The prosecution’s evidences are all fabricated basing only to an account of witness with questionable background,” said Antonio Flores, KMP Spokesperson and convenor of FREEDOM.

“We want his case dismissed or the charges against him be dropped so as it would not be used against him in the future in case he would be released as he is a consultant of the peace talks between NDFP and GRP,” Flores said.

Echanis is a consultant to the peace talks, particularly regarding the drafting of the Comprehensive Agreement of Socio-Economic Reforms (CASER), the agenda following the human rights agreement. He is also protected under the Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantee (JASIG), a protection against those who are working with the peace talks. As he is a leader of the national peasant movement, he is capable of sharing inputs, particularly the implementation of peasant-led genuine land reform in the countrysides.

“We also see that the Arroyo government’s consideration of his release is admission that their case against him is fabricated and weak,” added Flores.

Moreover, the military is presently blocking the release of Elizabeth Principe, a health worker and consultant of the NDFP-GRP talks though the cases against her have been dismissed.

“We are anticipating that the military would do the same to Ka Randy’s case, as they are a threat to people’s rights and democracy, they are the leading perpetrator of the extra-judicial killing (EJK) of 553 peasant victims under the Arroyo regime,” said Flores.

“The human rights situation in the country is all the doing of the Arroyo government as it implement Oplan Bantay Laya, composed of EJK, enforced disappearances and ‘arrest and detention.’ Gloria Arroyo is accountable to all the victims of this counter-insurgency program,” Flores said.

“We are calling out for all sectors to support the call for Echanis and Principe’s release, they are both defenders of peasant rights, advocates of genuine land reform, who struggle for justice and democracy in the country,” called Flores. #