A farmer’s group on Saturday again called for the release of paralegal Pao Colabres from detention after the family of slain peasant leader and activist Randy Echanis have claimed his remains.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chair Danilo Ramos said the continued detention of Colabres exposes him to coronavirus infections.
“It is totally unjust and sinister for the PNP (Philippine National Police) to keep Colabres in jail days after the confirmation of the identity and release of Randall Echanis' remains,” he said.
The Quezon City Police District arrested Colabres last Tuesday for obstruction of justice after trying to claim Echanis' body.
Colabres is currently detained at the QCPD headquarters in Camp Karingal even as police confirmed the body of a man killed in Novaliches, Quezon City was Echanis.
The KMP slammed the “delaying tactics” of the police, saying the charge against the paralegal was “clearly baseless, arbitrary, and even illegal.”
Ramos is concerned on the health and safety risks being faced by Colabres in Camp Karingal which he cited was put on lockdown last April after 14 police officers tested positive for COVID-19.
“Colabres continuing detention is sheer abuse of power and callousness on the part of the PNP,” the peasant leader said.
“He will be spending a whole week of unjust detention, risking COVID-19 infection. For what, looking after a colleague’s dead body? Colabres must be released the soonest possible time,” he stressed.