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Anakpawis calls for paralegal's release after slain man in Quezon City apartment confirmed as Echanis

Philippines

Anakpawis calls for paralegal's release after slain man in Quezon City apartment confirmed as Echanis

By Joseph Pedrajas

Militant group Anakpawis is calling for the “immediate release” of their paralegal team member who was arrested by police for obstruction of justice after trying to claim the body of slain National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant Randy Echanis.

Anakpawis paralegal Paolo Colabres remains behind bars after he was arrested for claiming NDFP adviser Randy Echanis’ body (photo courtesy of Anakpawis/ MANILA BULLETIN)

The group on Friday (Aug. 14) said Paolo Colabres is still under police custody, two days after the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) confirmed that the body of slain man found in a rented apartment in Novaliches -- and that Colabres tried to claim from the Pink Petals Funeral Home -- is that of Echanis.

Colabres served as a paralegal for the Echanis slay case. He was arrested early Tuesday morning.

“We are calling for his immediate release!” Anakpawis said.

The group also held a Black Friday Protest at the Commission on Human Rights on Commonwealth Ave. on the same day to seek justice for the murder of the NDFP adviser.

Along with neighbor Louie Tagapia, Echanis was found dead early Monday morning with several stab and gunshot wounds. His widow said he also bore torture marks and swollen eyes.

Police said they were eyeing robbery as a motive behind their killing. They were also considering personal grudge, as Tagapia was allegedly a member of a drug and weapons trafficking criminal group, based on his tattoo.

Police said Echanis might have just been dragged into the incident, but Anakpawis refuted this.

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