BY CZARINA ONG KI * RAYMUND ANTONIO
Netizens paid their respects to the slain Anakpawis chairman and consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines Randall “Ka Randy” Echanis as he was laid to rest on Monday at the Loyal Memorial Park in Marikina City.
Hundreds of family, friends, and supporters of Echanis marched in a caravan going to his final resting place after a Mass held at La Funeraria Paz in Quezon City.
They were clad in white shirts printed with Echanis image that said, “Hustisya!” Peace and peasant advocates as well as activists from different sectors also paid their last respects to “Ka Randy.”
Echanis, along with Louie Tagapia, was found dead with multiple stab wounds and two gunshots in his head in Novaliches, Quezon City on August 10. Five suspects were behind his killing.
Erlinda, widow of Echanis, and her children were very emotional in their farewell at his burial.
“Ka Randy did not die in vain. He died as a well-loved hero and martyr of the peasant and people’s movement. His lifelong struggle for land, justice, & peace is worth emulating,” she said.
In his message, Ka Randy’s son July raised his hand as he called for justice.
“Ang nais lang ni Ka Randy ay makibaka tayo, huwag matakot,” he said.
Former Anakpawis representative Ariel Casilao, who worked with the victim, also attended the funeral and gave the highest honor for Echanis.
Echanis was chair of Anakpawis and a National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) peace consultant.
Fondly called “Tatang” by his colleagues, Echanis had been at the forefront of the advocacy for genuine land reform for five decades and had worked in peasant communities.
Several other netizens were furious about the death of Echanis, especially since he was “unarmed and sick” when he was killed.
@patrickjosefdc said “those who murdered Ka Randy is an enemy of everyone who wants genuine change in this country. Those who murdered Ka Randy is an enemy of peace based on justice. They are an enemy of the toiling masses.”
The Center for Women’s Resources (@cwr1982) said on Twitter: “No land, no justice no peace.
Ka Randy Echanis will never be forgotten, for death cannot kill what never dies – his love for the peasant masses, and his fervor and commitment to achieve just and lasting peace.”
