Malacañang called on the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) to ensure the welfare of the newborn son of Amanda Echanis, the peasant organizer arrested in Cagayan Wednesday.

Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement following reports that Echanis, the daughter of slain National Democratic Front (NDF) peace consultant and Anakpawis chairman Randy Echanis, was arrested with her one-month-old son in Baggao, Cagayan.

Echanis was arrested for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

In his Thursday presser, Roque said called on DSWD to make sure that Echanis and her newborn son will not suffer the same fate as detained activist Reina Nasino whose three-month-old daughter died after they were separated due to lack of jail facilities.

"Sana po hindi na maulit 'yan (I hope that won't happen again) but I'm calling upon the DSWD to take steps to ensure that the welfare of the child will be protected," he said.

According to Roque, an arrest cannot be avoided even if there is a newborn child involved but the government is undertaking steps to make sure that the child is in good condition.

"Hindi po kasi dahilan yun na palibhasa may anak ka, hindi ka makukulong at hindi ka masa-subject sa proseso (it doesn't mean that just because you have a child you cannot be arrested and subjected to the process)," he said.

"But it is always the rule that the government will take steps for the best interest of the child," he added.

In a statement, Anakpawis "vehemently denounces" the arrest of Echanis, saying she was arrested based on planted evidence.

"She just gave birth to her first child," their statement read.

"We call on her immediate and unconditional release on just, humanitarian grounds," Anakpawis added.

In October, Roque said that the Palace will look into the lack of facilities in the country's jails that will cater to pregnant women and those who had just given birth and see if they can do something about it.