PNP: No lapses in Echanis slay case

MANILA, Philippines — Investigators who handled the probe on the murder of National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Randall Echanis did not commit lapses, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

“We did not see any lapses or violations on the part of the investigating body,” PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in an interview on CNN Philippines.

Banac said this was the PNP’s assessment despite the controversy generated by the way policemen handled the case after Echanis and his companion, Louie Tagapia, were murdered in Barangay Novaliches Proper, Quezon City.

Police officers on Monday night forcibly took Echanis’ cadaver from St. Peter’s Memorial Chapel and returned it to a funeral parlor in La Loma where it was first brought by representatives of his wife, Erlinda.

Erlinda slammed the policemen who “snatched” the remains of Echanis.

Banac said the police officers only wanted to make sure that the body was that of Echanis.

He noted that at the time, probers have not yet confirmed if the corpse was that of Echanis as the victim was initially identified as Manuel Santiago based on an identification card found at the crime scene.

“In a criminal investigation and legal proceedings, napakahalaga po na ma-identify properly ang isang tao,” Banac said.

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Wednesday released the body to Erlinda after confirming it was that of Echanis based on his fingerprints.

Instead of being criticized, Banac said the policemen should be lauded for their efforts, which removed any doubt on the victim’s identity.

“We think they have done their job well to establish the identity of Echanis,” the police spokesman said.

‘Echanis not target’

Maj. Elmer Monsalve, who heads the QCPD’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit, said it is possible that Echanis, chairman of the militant labor group Anakpawis, was not the target of the killers, but Tagapia.

Monsalve said based on their background investigation, Tagapia, a member of the Sputnik gang based on tattoo marks on his body, turned out to be a drug suspect who had been released from prison.

Tagapia’s father reportedly asked the owner of the apartment to let him stay at the house in April.

While police are still waiting for the results of the autopsy, Monsalve said it was visible that Tagapia sustained more stab wounds than Echanis.

There were also no signs of forced entry into the apartment, an indication that the victims knew their killers, Monsalve said.

“Walang sinirang pinto kaya kung nakapasok ang mga suspek, ibig sabihin nagbukas sila ng pinto,” he said.

Cover-up

Anakpawis maintained that the assailants of Echanis forced their entry into his rented apartment.

“The police claim that Echanis voluntarily opened the door or knew his killers in an attempt for a cover-up, but the crime scene says otherwise,” former Anakpawis representative Ariel Casilao said in a statement yesterday.

Casilao said the group immediately dispatched a team on Monday to look at the crime scene.

He said the team found a broken door knob and strike plate lock, indicating forced entry.

“It was a clear murder and we believe state forces were behind it after they snatched his remains and twisted the story,” Casilao said.

Enchanis, 72, was secretary general of the peasant group Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

His body was brought yesterday at the Philippine General Hospital for X-ray and autopsy.

Anakpawis dismissed the Department of Justice’s formation of a task force that would look into Echanis’ death. – Elizabeth Marcelo, Evelyn Macairan