Echanis' release, victory for the peasant and people's movement

PRESS RELEASE
August 15, 2009

The militant Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP, Peasant Movement of the Philippines ) hailed the people's movement for its resolute campaign for the immediate release of Randall Echanis. Echanis is the Deputy Secretary-General for External Affairs of KMP, arrested on January 28, 2008, accused of multiple murder in Inopacan, Leyte . The charge was the alleged "communist purges" during the 1980s accusing Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Anakpawis Vice-Chair Rafael Baylosis and NDF Consultant Vicente Ladlad but the peasant group believes that this is the Arroyo government's political persecution of critics as part of the counter-insurgency program Oplan Bantay Laya 2, and administered by the Inter-Agency Legal Action Group (IALAG)

Echanis was arrested in Bago City, Negros Occidental on January 28, 2008, while conducting a consultation with the agri-workers from Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) and National Federation of Sugar Workers (NFSW) about the House Bill 3059 Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) proposed in Congress by Anakpawis Rep. and KMP Chair Rafael Mariano, with Bayan Muna and Gabriela Women's Party. He was held late in the afternoon, subsequently transported by helicopter to Cebu then to Palo, Leyte , where he was detained. He was accompanied by a nun-supporter from Rural Missionaries of the Philippines (RMP) who never left Echanis' side.

In reaction, the Free Randall Echanis Movement (Freedom) was formed on February 1, 2008. This was composed of KMP, Pamalakaya-Pililipi nas, Amihan, UMA, family and friends of Echanis, Anakpawis Partylist, Karapatan, First Quarter Storm Movement, RMP, students and professors, artists and more. Freedom would serve as the main campaign group to drum up the issue of Echanis and call for his immediate and unconditional release.

Their first wave of activities on early February were indignation rallies in front of Camp Aguinaldo and Camp Crame . Also, family and friends of Echanis visited him in Palo provincial jail on February, April and June of last year. On March 1, 2008, Freedom organized the first benefit dinner for Echanis held in Greenhouse Restaurant along Matalino St. in Quezon City .

During the first half of last year, Echanis' legal counsel filed for a transfer of hearing from Leyte to Manila . Echanis was transferred in Camp Crame on July 29, where supporters were already picketing for the 2nd day at the gates. His case was transferred to Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 32 presided by Judge Thelma Bunyi-Medina.
Echanis' stay in Crame was brief as he was illegally transferred to Manila City Jail on August 2, without his legal counsel's knowledge. Thus, members of peasant groups picketed in front of the MCJ to protest his transfer as the facility is not conducive to one of his age and health condition. His stay in jail worsened his health, compelling him to petition for medical check-up at the Philippine Heart Center, which was blocked by the prosecutor, but later approved by Judge Bunyi-Medina. Then on November 23, while being checked up by doctors, supporters from Freedom picketed in front of the heart center and called for his immediate release.

The picket during the hearing at Manila RTC on August 5 and September 11 was attended by members from multi-sectoral groups. Echanis' supporters protested his inclusion to the transport bus of common prisoners from MCJ. Aside from Manila , Freedom also led numerous protest actions in front of the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) at V. Luna Road in Quezon City .

In line with the big peasant campaign on October, Freedom led the successful benefit gig for Echanis on October 16 at My Brother's Moustache Bar and Restaurant along Sct. Tobias in Quezon City . Echanis' friends and supporters flooded the bar and enjoyed the music of Lolita Carbon and Chikoy Pura.

Freedom also coordinated the solidarity visits for Echanis at the MCJ. He was visited by leaders from Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Rep. Teddy Casino, Anakpawis Rep. Joel Maglunsod, office of Sen. Jamby Madrigal, Commission on Human Rights, NDFP Joint Monitoring Committee, GRP panel to the peace talks, students, medical personnels, church people, academe and more. He was also visited by peasant leaders from different regions on August 14 where Axel Pinpin of Tagaytay 5 recited poems from his folio.

To mark his 1-year detention, peasant leaders held a fasting at the Supreme Court along P. Faura on January 28. The activity was an appeal to the high court as Echanis filed a petition for certiorari. KMP sent a letter of appeal to Chief Justice Puno to act on Echanis' case. This was followed by the launching of Echanis' literary folio at Conspiracy Bar along Visayas Avenue on February 3, where it was attended by national artist Bienvenido Lumbera, peasant leaders, Bobby Balingit and other artists.

On June 21, peasant groups visited anew the Supreme Court to send more letters of appeal, including resolutions from international groups such as the La Via Campesina calling for the immediate release of Echanis. Aside from this, a copy of the petition signing for Echanis' release was given to Chief Justice Puno.

Aside from the mass actions calling for Echanis' release, chapters of KMP drafted resolutions and push through with their own campaigns. Various discussions and forums about Echanis' case were organized at schools, churches, streets and other venues. Photo exhibits were also held at University of the Philippines , PUP and Miriam College . Also,
Freedom held dialogues with the Commission on Human Rights.

As a peasant leader and legitimate resource person about genuine land reform, Echanis was a member of the Reciprocal Working Committee of the Socio-Economic Reforms agenda of the peace talks between the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) and Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). His long struggle with the Filipino peasants for genuine land reform and social justice makes him a reliable consultant to the peace talks, which also made him a target of the Arroyo government. With the continuous campaign of the peasant movement and assertion of the NDFP, the Arroyo government was isolated and exposed of undermining the peace talks.
Upon Echanis' release, the campaign continues as the Supreme Court only ordered his provisional release and the case remains to be dropped. The Arroyo government is holding Echanis' hostage and GRP pushes its dominance while engaging in the talks. In this condition, the peasant movement continues to call for the junking of Echanis' case as it is against the attitude of the talks. He should not be held liable for a case that is obviously a fabrication of the Arroyo government.

KMP called to various sectors to support the call for the junking of Echanis' case and vowed to continue struggling for Echanis' case. Echanis is fighting for genuine land reform for the benefit of Filipino peasants and his case is an attack of the Arroyo government to those who want to effect genuine reforms in the country.#