Justice for Echanis, Justice for All!

September 19, 2020
Bantayog ng mga Bayani

The civil and political rights of Filipinos have been continuously trampled upon by the Duterte government. We all bear witness to the deteriorating human rights situation of the country. Day by day, we are outraged by the escalation of attacks on our rights perpetrated no less by the State and its agents.

From July 2016 to August 2020, Karapatan, a human rights organization, documented 328 victims of extra-judicial killings, 439 frustrated extrajudicial killings, 13 enforced disappearances, 214 victims of torture, 2,596 illegal arrest without detention, 973 illegal arrest and detention, 694 of illegal search and seizure, 390 of assault and injury, 456,913 of forced evacuation, and 3342 forced and fake surrenderees, among other violations which continued and even escalated during the pandemic. Of the killings, KMP has documented at least 265 peasants killed for asserting their right to land.

Those killed in Duterte’s war against illegal drugs are estimated to be more than 30,000 individuals, while more than a hundred thousand were illegally arrested. 

Just recently, while the country faces a pandemic, four prominent activists, namely Randall “Ka Randy” Echanis, Zara Alvarez, Jory Porquia, and Carlito Badion, were brutally murdered by state agents. Before their murder, they were red-tagged and branded as terrorists just like other assassinated activists.

The government itself, through its several agencies, the police, and the military, publicly propagate red-tagging and anti-communist or terrorist hysteria, putting the lives of those they tag in clear and present danger.

A climate of impunity prevails and no one is held accountable for these dastardly crimes. The Duterte government is absolutely doing nothing to stop, prevent, or even investigate such inhumane acts. Instead, President Rodrigo Duterte publicly encourages and extolls state agents to do more of the killings and human rights violations.

Thus, even the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, noted that there is rampant, systematic, grave, and serious violations of human rights by the Duterte regime.

Given these facts, and due to the passive attitude of the government to put a stop to these human rights violations and give justice to the victims, there is a need for the people to act to protect their rights, prevent the occurrence of more human rights violations, and struggle to achieve justice for the victims.

We represent the Justice for Echanis, Justice for All broad network that is comprised of individuals and organizations from various sectors — peasant organizations, land rights activists, human rights defenders, environment defenders, peace and social reform advocates, civil libertarians, Church people, artists, cultural groups, and youth and student organizations committing to stand in solidarity to demand justice for Randall “Ka Randy” Echancis and all victims of peasant political killings.

Ka Randy’s brutal death is not simply the death of a man, it is part of a fascist regime’s insidious acts against the people. This can be seen not only in the heinous and cowardly manner of his murder done by state agents but also in the desperate attempt at covering it up as a common crime.

Ka Randy has been a long-time leading consultant of the NDFP Peace Negotiating Panel on social and economic reforms.

Seeking #JusticeForKaRandy is part of advancing the people’s struggle for land, peace, and justice. We demand a thorough and impartial investigation on the brutal killing of Ka Randy Echanis and other victims of extrajudicial killings, and to make accountable the perpetrators.

We demand the rescinding of Executive Order No. 70, Memorandum Order No. 32 and other state policies that authorize red-tagging and human rights violations, including the recently enacted Anti-Terrorism Law of 2020.

We aim to unite advocates, concerned individuals, and groups to propagate and support the broad advocacies of Ka Randy – land and farmers’ rights, human rights, socio-economic reforms, social justice, among others.

We will build local and international solidarity, launch campaigns in the Philippines and abroad in support of the campaign to seek justice for all victims of political killings and militarization, and to elevate the Stop Killing Farmers campaign to the international level. We will further expose and oppose the state-sponsored policies of red-tagging, political persecution, and extrajudicial killings. We will unwaveringly defend and uphold the people’s democratic rights in the face of rising tyranny and fascism.

There is an urgent need to stop the killings and other human rights violations, to bring to justice the perpetrators, and to continue to pursue accountability. ### 

Convenors:

Most Reverend Broderick S. Pabillo, D.D., Apostolic Administrator, Archdiocese of Manila

Bishop Reuel Norman O. Marigza, United Churches of Christ in the Philippines

Bishop Joel Tendero, Secretary General, Ecumenical Bishops Forum

Reverend Grace Masegnan, Co-chair Promotion of Church People’s Response

Erlinda Lacaba-Echanis

Sr. Pat Fox, International Coalition for Human Rights in the Philippines

Ariel Casilao, Vice-Chairperson and former Representative, Anakpawis Partylist

Danilo Ramos, Chairperson, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas

Lisa Ito, Concerned Artists of the Philippines

Danilo Dela Fuente, Samahan ng Ex-Detainees Laban sa Detensyon at Aresto

Atty. Jobert Pahilga, Executive Director, Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo

Etel Dionisio, First Quarter Storm Movement

Fr. Teody Holgado, CSsR

Stephanie Jane Melendres, Panday Sining

Julian Formadero, Kilusan Sining Laban sa Pasismo

Ms. Chit Agcaoili

Leon Dulce, Kalikasan

Mitzi Jonelle Tan, Youth Advocates for Climate Action (YACAP)

Pats Ombion, Defend Negros

Adam David, Rural Women Advocates

Jun Cadiz, Migrante-Los Angeles

Jerwin Baure, AGHAM-Diliman

Bernadette Herrera, ICHRP-US

Angelo Suarez, Spokesperson, SAKA

College Editors Guild Movement of the Philippines

Student Christian Movement of the Philippines

ANAKBAYAN

Panday Sining

Initial List of Signatories:

Ranmil Echanis

Carol Araullo, chairperson Bagong Alyansang Makabayan and Co-convenor, KAPAYAPAAN

Rafael Baylosis, Kilusang Mayo Uno and NDFP-RWC on Political and Constitutional Reforms

Fr. Manuel Gatchalian, Assistant Parish Priest, Risen Christ Parish

Rafael Mariano, Chairman Emeritus, Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas and former DAR Secretary

Fernando Hicap, Chairperson, PAMALAKAYA-Pilipinas and former Anakpawis Representative

Antonio Flores, Chairperson, Unyon ng Mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura and Spokesperson, Tanggol Magsasaka

Zenaida Soriano, Chairperson, AMIHAN National Federation of Peasant Women

Cathy Estavillo, Secretary General, AMIHAN and Spokesperson, Bantay Bigas

Zoe Caballero, Chairperson, NNARA-Youth

Sining na Naglilingkod sa Bayan (SINAGBAYAN)

Jon Bonifacio, YACAP Stef Melendres, Panday Sining

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