By Mar Gabriel
Eagle News Service
No one is above the law.
Philippine National Police Chief Oscar Albayalde had this to say to critics of the policemen who arrested three lawyers during a Makati bar raid last Thursday for alleged intimidation and obstruction of justice, among others.
“We will implement the law without fear or favor. Hindi natin yan pwedeng pagbigyan: ‘yan man ay abogado, ‘yan man ay politician,” Albayalde said, as he led the awarding of the Medalya ng Kagalingan to the policemen who arrested Romulo Alarkon, Jan Vincent Soliven, and Lenie Rocha.
The police said the three were nabbed for “entering the premises” of the Time in Manila bar, “taking several pictures and videos of the place of search, and for intimidating the members of the searching team without proper and prior coordination.”
“The lawyers also failed to present any authorization from the bar owners whom they are representing,” the police said.
The three were ordered released by the Makati Prosecutors Office, pending further probe into the constructive possession of illegal drugs filed by the police against them.
Apart from these charges, the police filed charges for resistance and disobedience, obstruction of justice, and for violation of an ordinance prohibiting people from crossing a police line.
“It’s (the lawyers’) job para depensahan ang kanilang mga clients and it’s our job also to uphold the law but pag ikaw ay talagang nagmemeddle na and you are preventing our law enforcers from implementing the law then you will be charged accordingly,” Albayalde said.
He noted that the police were “armed with a legal search warrant” when they raided the bar on Thursday, Aug. 16.
“Probably meron silang good reason bakit nila ginawa yun. Sabi ko nga in every operation there is presumption of regularity..hindi pwede sabihin outright na mali ang kanilang ginagawa. Kaya natin binigyan ng reward, to give confidence to them. Papakita natin sa kanila gumagawa naman tayo ng tama,” Albayalde said.
He said if the lawyers counter-charge, the PNP would provide the policemen with “better lawyers.”
“Hindi naman natin sila pwedeng pabayaan dahil ginagawa lang naman nila ang kanilang duties and responsibilities,” he added.