A broad network of human rights defenders and peace and social reform advocates on Saturday, Sept. 19, marked the 40th day of the death of peasant leader Randy Echanis by launching the Justice for Echanis, Justice for All (JEJA) network.
Echanis, 71, and his neighbor Louie Tagapia, were killed in his rented home in Novaliches, Quezon City on August 10. Autopsy results showed he was tortured before he was killed.
The group gathered at the Bantayog ng mga Bayani in Quezon City in solidarity to demand justice for Echanis and other victims of extrajudicial killings under the Duterte administration.
Sectoral groups—including church people, progressive people's organizations and cause-oriented groups—convened to form the JEJA network.
Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (KMP) chair Danilo Ramos, co-convenor of JEJA, said it is imperative for various sectors to “link arms and unite to resist the reigning culture of impunity.”
"We reiterate our demand for justice. Ka Randy was tortured and brutally killed. His corpse was even disrespected. Dapat may managot. Dapat may maparusahan at dapat hindi na maganap pa kahit na kanino ang ganitong brutalidad,” he said.
The other conveners of JEJA include Manila Apostolic Administrator Bishop Broderick Pabillo, Bishop Reuel Marigza of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines, and Bishop Joel Tendero of the Ecumenical Bishops Forum, among others.
They formed JEJA based on the Justice for Aquino, Justice for All movement that was formed in the 1980's at the height of people's protests against the Marcos dictatorship.
Anakpawis leader Ariel Casilao said the network will intensify opposition to the red-tagging, political persecution, and extrajudicial killings.
“We will unwaveringly defend and uphold the people’s democratic rights in the face of rising tyranny and fascism," he said.
At the launch, cultural groups led by youth group Sinagbayan re-enacted the infamous Escalante Massacre, an incident on September 20, 1985 in Negros Occidental, where government paramilitary forces allegedly gunned down civilians joining a protest in commemoration of the 13th anniversary of Martial Law declaration.