The arrest of Amanda Lacaba Echanis yesterday, 2 December 2020, is the latest in a string of arrests and attacks against alleged members of the New People’s Army. Her father, Randy Echanis, Chair of Anakpawis and Deputy Secretary General of KMP, was slain last 10 August 2020, and his death remains unsolved.
Considering that Echanis just gave birth, CHR reminds concerned authorities to give primordial consideration to the welfare of the one-month old baby as required by the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-Custodial Measures for Women Offenders or the Bangkok Rules.
As an accused who is deemed innocent until proven guilty in court, it is also expected that Echanis will be treated humanely and justly, as with all persons deprived of liberty, in line with the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners or the Nelson Mandela Rules.
We reiterate that ideological beliefs and political affiliations are not grounds to undermine a person’s right to due process and fair trial among others. Peaceful, non-violent, and legal ways to disagree and/or oppose the government are within the purview of protection of the Philippine Constitution.
CHR shall dispatch a team from the concerned CHR Regional Office to investigate this case. ###