SUPREME COURT OF THE PHILIPPINES / STOCK
MANILA, Philippines—The Supreme Court (SC) has declared void the search warrants executed in Tondo, Manila, during the arrest of activists Reina Mae Nasino, Ram Carlo Bautista, and Alma Moran, or the “Tondo 3.”
In a resolution made public Friday, the SC agrees with the Court of Appeals that the search warrants lack the specificity of the place to be searched as it was only described as Bautista’s house.
Likewise, the SC noted the disparity in the addresses to be searched.
“These facts alone invite abuse of discretion on the part of the law enforcers and thereby circumventing the purpose of the specificity requirement of a search warrant,” read the resolution.
“Strangely, although the subject warrants are only addressed to respondent Bautista, the implementing officers also subjected respondents Moran and Nasino to the search. Hence, it is clear from the foregoing that the latter’s right against unreasonable searches and seizures was clearly violated,” it added.
The “Tondo 3” was already acquitted by the Manila Court in July last year due to insufficient evidence.
Nasino was pregnant when she was arrested. She gave birth while in detention. She appealed to the court that she be allowed to stay with her newborn baby she named River, but her request was denied. Baby River got weak and eventually died after separation from her mother.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) welcomed the Supreme Court’s resolution.
It said that declaring as void the search warrant “marks another victory for the three activists.”
“They were among many activists whose homes and offices were raided under the guise of executing search warrants to be imprisoned on fabricated charges. Its broader significance lies in emphasizing the importance of adhering to constitutional standards to uphold the right against unreasonable search and seizure and safeguard against arbitrary state action,” the NUPL said in a statement.