The militant Kilusang Mambubukid ng Pilipinas lambasted the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines yesterday, for their recommendation to promote policemen who arrested Randall “Ka Randy” Echanis, deputy secretary-general for external affairs of the KMP.

The group, in a press statement, also denounced what they called the trumped-up charges that the police are once again trying to pin against Ka Randy.

Rafael “Ka Paeng” Mariano, chairman of KMP and concurrent president of ANAKPAWIS party list, said “When they illegally arrested Ka Randy these death squads were hiding their faces and were wearing bonnets.

“For all intents and purposing we believe they were going to abduct and kill him then. But now they are turning their shame and deceit into promotions, how low can they get?” he asked.

The military has tagged Echanis as a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines.

Interior and Local Government Assistant Secretary Danilo Valero, in a statement last week, said that while there is no reward for the arrest of Echanis under the DILG Reward Orders, the Armed Forces of the Philippines and National Police is coming up with a “special reward” for the arresting team, considering the notoriety of Echanis.

Echanis was apprehended by policemen in Bago City, Negros Occidental, by virtue of an arrest warrant for 15 counts of murder, issued by Leyte Judge Ephraim Abando, on Jan. 28, the press release said.

Senior Supt. Rosendo Franco, police provincial director of Negros Occidental, said he has recommended to Camp Crame the promotion of policemen who arrested Echanis.

Police Director Jefferson Soriano, Task Force USIG chief, said Echanis who is facing 15 counts of murder, in connection with the mass graves discovered in Leyte, was also involved in the assassination of members of the Marxist-Leninist Party of the Philippines-Rebolusyonaryong Hukbo ng Bayan in central Luzon in 2002.

Police records also show that Echanis, who is now detained at the Leyte Provincial Jail, was charged in court for illegal possession of firearms and kidnapping.

Mariano has disputed military and police claims that Echanis is a member of the CPP Central Committee and chairs its National Peasant Commission.

“These charges are all baseless. It is also a way of the PNP to preempt our motion for the immediate release of Ka Randy. The regime is also completely disregarding the recommendations of United Nations special rapporteur Philip Alston. We will fight this all the way and the international community will be made aware of this new surge in repression in the Philippines,” Mariano said.

Deputy Minority Leader and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo yesterday also assailed Soriano for allegedly fabricating derogatory information and issuing political propaganda in anticipation of the release of Echanis.

Ocampo issued the statement after Soriano said that "Echanis was also involved in the assassinations of members of the Marxist-Leninist Party of the Philippines/Rebolusyonaryong Hukbong Bayan in Central Luzon."

"Echanis is now only waiting for the court's ruling on his motion to dismiss the case," Ocampo said.

"Task Force Usig anticipates that the fabricated case the military and police filed against Echanis will not hold ground. Citing new cases without proof appears to be designed to hold him and prolong his detention," Ocampo said.*

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