Court acquits peasant organizer after six years detained

By Juliane Judilla

The Regional Trial Court in Tuguegarao City has acquitted poet and peasant organizer Amanda Socorro Echanis of charges of illegal possession of firearms and explosives, nearly six years after her arrest.

In a decision issued Wednesday, Jan. 14, Branch 10, presided over by Judge Racquel Reyes-Aglaua, ruled that the prosecution failed to establish all the essential elements of the offenses charged.

“Hence, the court cannot convict the accused. Mere speculation and probabilities cannot substitute for the quantum of proof required in criminal cases—proof beyond reasonable doubt—and the evidence presented did not overturn the accused’s constitutional presumption of innocence,” the decision read.

Echanis was arrested on Dec. 2, 2020, along with her then one-month-old baby, in Barangay Carupian, Baggao, Cagayan, by elements of the Philippine National Police, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.

At the time of her arrest, Echanis was a peasant organizer of Amihan and a poet and writer whose works documented the struggles of farmers in rural communities.

During her detention, Echanis continued her academic work after re-enrolling as a creative writing student at University of the Philippines Diliman, attending classes online and later running for student office.

She won a seat in the University Student Council, becoming the first political detainee in the university’s history to be elected as a councilor.

Several organizations welcomed the acquittal, including the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas.

“This victory proves that the state’s lies cannot last forever,” said KMP chairperson Danilo Ramos.

“Matagal nang malinaw na inosente si Amanda. Ang kanyang pagkakulong ay patunay ng malupit na paggamit ng gawa-gawang kaso laban sa mga nag-oorganisa ng mga magsasaka at kababaihan. Ang kanyang paglaya ay tagumpay ng sama-samang pakikibaka,” Ramos said.

KMP said the acquittal comes amid what it described as a worsening political climate in which activists, peasant organizers and human rights defenders continue to face fabricated charges, while the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict continues to receive significant public funding.

While welcoming Echanis’ release, KMP stressed that accountability remains necessary.

“Ang pagpapawalang-sala kay Amanda ay isang tagumpay na bunga ng matagal at matinding pakikibaka,” Ramos said.

“Ngunit hangga’t patuloy ang pag-atake sa mga magsasaka, dinudukot ang mga aktibista, at umiiral ang mga gawa-gawang kaso, magpapatuloy ang pakikibaka. Makakamit lamang ang tunay na kapayapaan sa pamamagitan ng paggalang sa karapatan, pagwawakas sa impunidad, at pagtugon sa ugat ng kahirapan sa kanayunan sa pamamagitan ng tunay na reporma sa lupa.”

The University of the Philippines Diliman University Student Council also welcomed Echanis’ release.

“The release of Amanda Echanis is a victory of collective action and an important step in defending academic freedom and in advancing genuine social justice,” the council said in a statement.

Echanis is the daughter of the late National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Randall Echanis and veteran activist Linda Lacaba-Echanis.