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By SHERWIN DE VERA
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY— The National Democratic Front of the Philippines in Cagayan Valley hailed the release of writer and activist Amanda Echanis as a victory for people “fighting for democracy and national liberation.” 

The court dismissed the illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges against Echanis on January 14 after five years of detention. 

She was arrested in Barangay Carupian, Baggao town, in December 2020, along with her month-old child, during a dawn raid on the house where she was staying. She was an organizer for the provincial chapter of Amihan-National Federation of Peasant Women at the time of her arrest.

The police and military also entered the house of peasant leader Isabelo Adviento in the same barangay, where they allegedly found a rifle and explosives. He was arrested in June 2021also for illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges. The court had earlier dismissed the charges against him.

Adviento is facing another charge for terrorism financing, with four others—rights worker Jackie Valencia, Makabayan Regional Coordinator Agnes Mesina, community journalist Deo Montesclaros, and peasant organizer Cita Managuelod.

NDF-Cagayan Valley said the acquittal of Echanis and Adviento, and the ongoing charges against activists, expose alleged government abuses.

During a Thursday press briefing, Zoe Caballero, one of the counsels for Echanis from Sentro para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo, said the police committed major procedural lapses during her arrest.

The court cited two main grounds for her acquittal: the illegal execution of the search warrant and the prosecution’s failure to prove her possession of the alleged firearms and explosives. The court also noted inconsistent testimonies.

Kapatid, a support group of families of political prisoners, said Echanis’s case supports long-standing claims by the group and other human rights organizations about the systematic and deliberate planting of evidence against activists.

Right groups have flagged the use of illegal firearms and explosives possession against activists to block bail, and extend imprisonment. 

“Amanda Echanis should never have been imprisoned. Her acquittal is a victory—but it is also an indictment of red-tagging, fabricated cases, and state repression,” Kapatid stated.

In a statement, Major General Gulliver L. Señires, commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division, said they “respects the court decision” and that it upholds “judicial independence and the rule of law.”

He said their mission “goes far beyond any single case” and will continue to fulfill its mandate, maintaining that its operations are conducted in accordance with Philippine law and international humanitarian law. #nordis.net