2 QC cops demoted for unlawful arrest, warrantless search

MANILA, Philippines — Two police officers were demoted over a grave misconduct case, which stemmed from complaints of unlawful arrest and conduct of search without proper warrants, the city government said on Friday.

In a statement, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said Patrolmen Zaldy Mejos Jr. and Julie Boison received a penalty of one-rank demotion based on a decision of the People’s Law Enforcement Board (PLEB) District 1 of Quezon City.

The policemen were demoted after they received the complaint of a certain Marissa Torres, who accused that the two policemen searched her house and arrested her without proper warrants issued by the court on January 19, 2019.

The policemen denied the charges, saying they were on foot patrol when they received a report that Torres was carrying a firearm.

Boison said he found a nozzle of a suspected firearm inside the sling bag at Torres’ sari-sari store. This prompted the police officers to search inside Torres’ residence.

Police officers then arrested Torres after they discovered a firearm and suspected narcotics inside the victim’s house. Torres, however, said the gun and illegal drugs were planted evidence.

Under the QC PLEB decision, police conducted the warrantless arrest. It also said the search and seizure done by the respondent policemen “cannot be justified under the plain view doctrine.”

“We have no agenda but to dispense justice. Constitutional rights are there to be upheld,” PLEB Executive Officer Atty Rafael Calinisan said.[ac]