The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) has vowed to work closely with the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide “safe place” for the continuous bonding between detained peasant organizer Amanda Echanis and her newborn son.
The DSWD reassured the public that it "will put a premium on the best interest" of Echanis’ one-month old child.
"DSWD will work together with the Philippine National Police to provide Amanda and her son a safe place that would allow them to continue their bond as mother and child not only for humanitarian reasons but also in compliance to the provisions of RA 11148 or The First 1000 Days Law which the Department strongly adheres to,” it said in a statement.
DSWD Field Office 2 (Cagayan Valley) had reached out to Echanis, through her lawyer, to evaluate and determine the assistance that can be extended to the mother and son, it noted.
"The Field Office explained that the best interest of the child will prevail after Amanda expressed that she does not want to be separated from her son,” the DSWD said.
Given to the Echanises were family food pack, hygiene kits, diapers, baby clothes, pillows and comforters.
"The DSWD assured the public and the family of Amanda that it will provide all assistance within the mandate of the Department to ensure that the rights of mother and child are upheld at all times,” the DSWD said.
On Dec. 2, 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 Brgy. Carolina at Baggao, Cagayan for alleged illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.
A day after the arrest of Echanis, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque called on the DSWD to take a step to ensure that the welfare of the child will be protected.
He said Malacañang would make sure that Echanis' newborn son will not suffer the same fate as that of Baby River, the three-month old daughter of jailed activity Reina Nasino who died after she and her mother got separated due to lack of jail facilities.