An official of the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) lashed out at policemen for the arrest of three lawyers on Thursday for allegedly meddling in a police inspection conducted at the Time Bar in Makati City.
Police earlier accused the lawyers of illegally taking photos and videos and threatening the officers with PO1 rank during an inspection at the bar found to be an alleged hotspot for party drug users.
An official of the Commission on Human Rights said it will investigate on the arrest of three lawyers who allegedly disrupted a police operation in a bar in Makati City. @inquirerdotnet
— Cathrine Gonzales (@cgonzalesINQ) August 18, 2018
“The Commission is deeply alarmed by the arrest of the three lawyers who were only fulfilling their obligation as counsels of their client,” lawyer Jacqueline de Guia, spokesperson of the CHR, said in a statement Saturday.
De Guia stressed it is the constitutional right of everyone to be represented by a lawyer in such situations.
READ: Lawyers arrested for ‘threatening’ cops in Makati bar raid
“It shows an utter disrespect not only of the law profession but also of constitutionally enshrined rights,” she said.
De Guia also warned that the arrest will encourage other law enforcement agencies from the government to do the same, which she said will “put at risk ordinary Filipino citizen.”
The Southern Police District in a statement earlier said its officers properly warned the lawyers to exit the establishment but proceeded to the arrest when they did not comply.
READ: Cops raid Makati bar for allegedly selling party drugs to customers
The lawyers have been released from police custody on Friday night.
Despite this defense, De Guia said the CHR will still investigate the incident. /jpv