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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, December 3) – Malacañang will ensure that the one-month-old son of arrested peasant organizer Amanda Echanis does not suffer the same fate as the baby of jailed activist Reina Nasino, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Thursday.
In their virtual briefing, Roque said they will turn to the Department of Social Welfare and Development to make sure the boy is safe, despite his mother’s arrest.
“I hope that doesn’t happen again (We hope that doesn’t happen again), but we ask DSWD to take a step to ensure that the well-being of the child is protected, “he said.
“Hindi po kasi dahilan iyon na palibhasa may anak ka hindi ka makukulong at masa-subject sa prose (It cannot be reasoned that someone who has a child cannot be imprisoned and cannot be subject to procedures),” Roque added. “But it is always the rule that the government will take action in the best interest of the child.”
Authorities arrested Echanis along with his son on Wednesday in Brgy. Carupian in Baggao, Cagayan for alleged illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives. Peasant groups and activists claimed that these “bogus charges” were part of a “crackdown” by the authorities after a Senate hearing that addressed the red-labeling of communist rebels.
Echanis is the organizer in the Cagayan province of Amihan, an advocacy group that fights for the rights of small farmers and peasant women. She is also the daughter of peace adviser Randy Echanis, who was murdered at his home in August.
Critics claimed that Echanis’ arrest could be a reminder of the case of Nasino, who faced the same charges and was eventually separated from her son, Baby River. Despite appeals to local courts, Nasino was not allowed to care for his daughter, who had lung complications. She remained in a detention center and was only given a limited time to visit the latter’s burial and burial.
Nasino and his two colleagues were arrested at Bagong Alyansang Makabayan’s office on November 5 last year for possession of weapons and explosives. Critics previously criticized the “excessive” treatment of a mother who was simply grieving for her son. The Department of the Interior then defended the efforts of its officials, saying they acted with restraint and professionalism throughout the incident.
Malacañang previously admitted that he was unaware of the conditions of the facilities for newborns and detained mothers. Roque himself said that he will contact the authorities to verify the status of the prison facilities and of the detainees who have not been convicted by the courts.
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