Hear the story of police officers in Makati bar-raid, says Lacson

Kristine Joy Patag (philstar.com) – August 21, 2018 – 12:05 pm

MANILA, Philippines – Sen. Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday urged the public to keep their verdict against the police officers who were involved in the controversial robbery in a Makati bar last week.

The senator, who is a former head of the police, asked the public not to be too hasty about passing on criticism to the police.

"Let us not be too hasty or harsh in condemning the [National Capital Region Police Office] without understanding their side of the story. There is such a thing as a presumption of regularity, "Lacson said in a statement.

Director-General Oscar Albayalde, Philippine head of the national police, also said the same feeling on Monday morning.

Albayalde said there must have been a "compelling reason" behind the actions of the police. "If counter-charges were to be filed against the Makati agents, Albayalde said the PNP would give them the best legal assistance to defend their case.

Makati agents last Thursday solicited Lenie Rocha, Jan Vincent Soliven and Romulo Alarcon for "intimidating" the police while conducting a search operation in the TIME bar in Makati City.

The police filed criminal charges against the three lawyers the next day, including a complaint about constructive property & # 39; illegal drugs.

The arrest of the legal advisers received strong criticism from Vice President Leni Robredo, lawyer groups and the public. The Commission on Human Rights has also expressed its concern about the incident and said that it will continue its investigation of the case.

Lacson also pointed out that the NCRPO report pointed out that the lawyers roamed the buildings, photo's on every floor and touched items "as if they were doing their own without authority." This could have potentially contaminated evidence, the legislator said.

Integrated counter of Filipino President Abdiel Dan Fajardo, also on Tuesday morning, said that the actions of the lawyers do not hinder the law because the presidential decree on the offense contains a list of specific actions.

& # 39; Arrest of lawyers alarming & # 39;

In a separate statement, the board of the IBP said that filing criminal complaints against the three lawyers who performed their duties "raises serious concerns for the rule of law in the Philippines".

According to the Supreme Court constructive property exists when the drug is under the control and control of the suspect, or when he has the right to exercise dominion and control the place where it is found & # 39 ;.

Earlier last week, the police also filed complaints for the maintenance of a drug animal against the owner and employees of TIME. The NCRPO said illegal drugs were recovered from chairs and tables of customers in the bar.

But the board of the IBP emphasized that the three lawyers had "every right to represent their client and be present to observe and record the execution of a search warrant."

"Such treatment of lawyers affects the guarantee of the constitution of a fair trial for each person", added the IBP.

The group also emphasized that, as the police investigating the case, the three lawyers who had been arrested only agreed their determination in ensuring compliance with legal rights.