Career

His death sparked national debate over the legality and morality of the death penalty, which was later suspended on 15 April 2006. A house painter by trade, Echegaray was accused of the April 1994 rape of his 10-year-old stepdaughter, Rodessa (nicknamed "Baby" by the press). He was convicted by Branch 104 of the Regional Trial Court in Quezon City on 7 September 1994, with the death sentence automatically reviewed by the Supreme Court and affirmed on 25 June 1996.

Echegaray filed a motion for appeal, which was denied on 19 January 1999.

Less than a month later, Echegaray was executed via lethal injection on 5 February 1999. Witnesses reported his last words to have been:

"Sámbayanáng Pilipino, patawarin ako sa kasalanang ipinaratang ninyo sa akin.

Pilipino, pinatáy ng kapwa Pilipino."

("People of the Philippines, forgive me of the sin which you have accused me A Filipino, killed by fellow Filipinos").