Raps filed vs CL police chief, Pandi, Bulacan cops over seized magazines

MANILA, Philippines — Urban poor group Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) has filed multiple complaints before the Office of the Ombudsman against the director of the Central Luzon police and members of the Pandi, Bulacan police over the alleged unlawful seizure of Pinoy Weekly magazines.

According to Kadamay, cases of simple robbery under Article 294 of Revised Penal Code (RPC) and robbery by the execution of deeds by means of violence or intimidation under Article 298 of the RPC were filed against Central Luzon Director Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia, Bulacan police chief Col. Lawrence Bonifacio Cajipe, Pandi, Bulacan acting police chief Capt. Jun Javier Alejandrino, Lt. Gerardo Espiritu of the Pandi police, and eight other Pandi police officers.

Last July, at least eight officers of the Pandi police went to the office of Kadamay in Villa Lois public housing in Pandi, Bulacan to confiscate thousands of Pinoy Weekly copies.

Kadamay said the law enforcers took the magazines without authority and permission from the organization or its representatives.

“We were vehement in saying, we will not surrender them (copies) to its respondents,” read the complaint.

Kadamay added that the police failed to present a search warrant issued by the court to seize the magazines.

“The taking was likewise without any legal basis. The police officers led by respondent Alejandrino failed to present any valid search warrant issued by a court for the seizure of Pinoy Weekly magazines,” read the complaint.

The group also accused the police officers of violence and intimidation after the lawmen allegedly compelled Kadamay members to sign a blank document to allegedly show that the magazines were voluntarily surrendered.

The accused police officers are also facing complaints of gross misconduct; conduct unbecoming of a public official, and conduct prejudicial to the best interest of the service.

Aside from this, Kadamay called for the suspension without pay and benefits of police officers.

“In the meantime, we pray that above-named respondents be placed under preventive suspension without pay and benefits,” read the complaint.

Previously, the Philippine National Police (PNP) denied that a raid was conducted inside the office of Kadamay in Pandi, Bulacan, saying the magazines were surrendered.

As of posting, Sermonia and the Philippine National Police have yet to give their response to the complaints.