Free Randall Echanis!
Stop Political Persecution of All Activists in the Philippines!

To:

Her Excellency Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
President
Republic of the Philippines
New Executive Building
Malacañang Palace Compund
J.P. Laurel St., San Miguel Manila
Tel: +632-564-1451 to 80; +632-736-1010
Fax: +632-735-8005
E-mail: corres@op.gov.ph

Jesus D. Dureza
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process
Office of the Peace Process
7th Floor Agustin Building I
Emerald Avenue, Pasig City 1605
Voice:+63 (2) 636 0701 to 066
Fax:+63 (2) 635 9579
E-mail: osec@opapp.gov.ph

Hon. Gilbert Teodoro
Secretary
Department of National Defense
Rm. 301, DND BuildingCamp Genereal Emilio F. Aguinaldo
1110 Quezon City, Philippines
Tel: +632-911-0488; +632-911-1746
Fax: +632- 911-6213
Website: www.dnd.gov.ph
E-mail: osnd@philonline.com

Dear Sir/Madam,

We, the undersigned, express our deep concern over the arrest of Randal Echanis on January 28, 2008. He is the external affairs deputy secretary general of the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) for his alleged participation in the discovered mass graves in Leyte. We view this charge doubtful and politically motivated.

Randall, 59 years old, more popularly known as "Ka Randy" among his peers and colleagues was arrested by suspected military and police elements wearing bonnets (ski masks) and in civilian clothes, at the Builders Training Center in Barangay Calumangan, Bago City, Negros Occidental. He was attending a consultation with farmers and farmworkers belonging to the National Federation of Sugar Workers and Unyon ng mga Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA) on the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (House Bill 3059) and in preparation for the National Rural Congress to be spearheaded by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP).

Randall was accused as a member of the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) Central Committee. Along with CPP founder Jose Ma. Sison and Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, Echanis was accused of multiple murder for 15 counts in connection with the so-called mass graves discovered in Hilongos, Leyte.

But the peasant leader was in detention and held under solitary confinement when the alleged crime was committed. He was arrested in 1983 by then Ministry of National Defense Security Group. He was held incommunicado from 1983 to 1984 and was transferred to Camp Adduru, Regional Command 2 Stockade in Tugegarao, Cagayan until his release in March 1986.

Since his release, Randall resumed his pro-people work by joining the group of ex-political detainees, helped in pursuing the human rights claimants' case against the Marcos dictatorship and actively participated in the pre-formation of human rights group Karapatan, until his appointment as KMP deputy secretary general in 1999, during its 5th National Congress.

Prior to his arrest, the Supreme Court dismissed the rebellion case, in connection with the alleged Feb.24, 2006 coup attempt, against Randall, and the six progressive lawmakers popularly known as the Batasan 6--- Satur Ocampo, Teodoro Casiño and Joel Virador of Bayan Muna, Crispin Beltran and Rafael Mariano of Anakpawis and Liza Maza of Gabriela Women's Party. The high tribunal assailed the Philippine government for assaulting the civil rights of the Filipino people.

The continuing injustice committed against Randall should not be tolerated. Let us all stand up and fight for the immediate and unconditional release of Ka Randy, and the subsequent dropping of all charges filed against him by the corrupt, bankrupt and immoral government of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The victory of Randall's cause is the victory of all peasants struggling for their right to land, and a historical triumph for all the Filipino people fighting for a just and humane society. Let our voice be heard in the name of truth, justice and peace.

Yours Sincerely,

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