PNP: No violations in attempted arrest of suspect in Zambales

https://www.facebook.com/pnp.pio/videos/301636944080582/

[Video of a media briefing on the arrest of police scalawags in NCRPO and other PNP matters]

MANILA, Philippines — Police officers violated no protocols in trying to arrest a suspected drug pusher in San Antonio, Zambales — an incident that was recorded in a video that has gone viral on Facebook since being posted last Sunday.

Col. Bernard Banac, spokesman of the Philippine National Police, made this denial in a press conference on Wednesday in Camp Crame.

In a viral post uploaded on Facebook, a netizen from San Antonio said police officers in plain clothes tried to arrest a suspect — later identified as Joel Villanueva — without presenting a warrant.

The netizen said the officers — one with a scarf partially covering his face — were trying to force Villanueva to come with them to the police station.

But according to Banac, officers, even in plain clothes, are authorized to conduct surveillance on a suspect.

“Hindi sila naka-uniporme pero sila ay inotorisa ng ating pulis doon para magmanman dahil kapag naka-uniporme ay mahirap manmanan ang suspek,” Banac said in a press conference at Camp Crame.

[They were not in uniform, but they were authorized to conduct surveillance in the area, because if they wear their uniforms, it will be hard to monitor the suspect.]

According to a report from the San Antonio Police Station, Patrolman John Abner Asinas was monitoring the area when he chanced on Villanueva, tagged by police as drug personality.

Recognizing Asinas as a police officer, Villanueva panicked and allegedly pushed and kicked the lawman, causing him to fall to the ground.

Asinas then tried to arrest him, but Villanueva allegedly grabbed a pointed piece of metal and attacked him again before fleeing towards their house.

Asinas chased him, but Villanueva’s relatives, including his parents, Teresa and Boy, blocked his path. Some of the relatives were reportedly holding pieces of wood, seemingly to threaten the patrolman.

Asinas went to the San Antonio Police Station to ask for back-up. But when he and other officers returned to the suspect’s house, Villanueva and his companions had already gone.

Banac said the arrest was legal. Asinas was trying to capture the suspect for direct assault he had just committed and not because of his alleged involvement in illegal drugs.

“It is called warrantless arrest. When a crime is about to be committed, is being committed, or has been committed in his presence or he has knowledge of it, the police can immediately effect a warrantless arrest,” Banac told INQUIRER.net.

“That’s what cops do when they are on the beat and mobile patrols or doing law enforcement activities,” he said.

Villanueva now faces a case of direct assault, while his parents will be sued for obstruction of justice.

All three are still at-large as of this posting, Banac said.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Joel Napoleon Coronel, commander of the Central Luzon Police Regional Office, gave an assurance that there would be no whitewash in the investigation of the incident. /atm