[UPDATED] Poet, writer and activist Amanda Socorro Echanis was acquitted of illegal possession of firearms and explosive charges by Branch 10 of the Tuguegarao City Regional Court this morning, January 14.
Judge Racquel Reyes-Aglaua in her decision declaring Echanis innocent said “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,” her ruling partly reads.
Echanis was arrested on December 2, 2020 with her month-old baby in Brgy. Carupian, Baggao, Cagayan by elements of the Philippine National Police-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and the Armed Forces of the Philippines.
She was a woman peasant organizer of Amihan, a federation of women peasants, at the time of her arrest.
During her five-year detention, Echanis re-enrolled as a Creative Writing Student at the University of the Philippines (UP)-Diliman, attending classes online.
She also ran and won in the University Student Council elections last year, becoming the councilor with the most votes.
She is among the three featured activists in Cinemalaya 2025’s Best Film “Bloom Where You Are Planted.”
Echanis is the daughter of slain National Democratic Front of the Philippines peace consultant Randall Echanis and veteran activist Linda Lacaba-Echanis.
‘Fabricated, politically-motivated’
She was represented by members of the Sentro Para sa Tunay na Repormang Agraryo – Sentra and the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers.
In a statement, Sentra said justice prevailed as the charges against Echanis was “fabricated and politically-motivated.”
“Amanda should not have been deprived of liberty on the basis of unsubstantiated accusations or evidence of questionable integrity,” the group added.
“The acquittal of Amanda is a victory for justice, but it must also serve as a reminder: defending human rights and serving the farmers, the poor, and the oppressed is not a crime,” Sentra said.
Human rights alliance KARAPATAN meanwhile welcomed the acquittal, saying Echanis’ arrest was part of a broader crackdown against peasant leaders and organizers in the region.
The alliance said the crackdown is marked by coordinated military and police raids, planted evidence, and baseless criminal charges aimed at silencing dissent.
“The acquittal of Amanda Echanis is a resounding indictment of the military and police’s campaign of political repression and fabrication of charges, and evidence,” said Cristina Palabay, secretary general of KARAPATAN.
“This ruling confirms what we have long maintained: Amanda is innocent, and the charges against her were maliciously manufactured to punish her work among peasants and women,” Palabay added.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas chairperson Danilo Ramos expressed elation at the development, saying Echanis’ court victory is proof that “the state’s lies cannot last forever.”
“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.
Echanis’ mother Linda told Kodao she salutes her daughter’s fortitude in her five years of unjust imprisonment.
“I express my gratitude to all the lawyers of Sentra and the NUPL, Karapatan, paralegals, AMIHAN and other peasant advocates. Thanks as well to all supporters, led by the Free Amanda Echanis Movement,” Lacaba-Echanis said.
Gabriela Women’s Party Rep. Sarah Elago was present at the promulgation to provide support. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
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This is a developing story. Follow Kodao Productions for updates.
