Cops bent on searching Revilla’s compound

MANILA, Philippines—Cavite police officers are waiting for the release of a warrant that would allow them to search the home of Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr., a Philippine National Police spokesman said Wednesday.

Chief Superintendent Rommel Estolano, Cavite police spokesman, said officers are also looking for about 30 alleged members of the National Bureau of Investigation who were reportedly hiding inside the Revilla’s compound since the standoff last Monday, where six other members of the NBI were arrested after being found in possession of several firearms.

He said the “armed men” were among those who blocked the PNP Regional Safety Battalion from searching Revilla’s home last Monday.

“As of now, we’re applying for search warrant so we can check the compound of Senator Revilla but we can’t divulge where to search and what items to be seized,” Estolano said.

The six NBI members, five of them confidential agents, have been charged with violation of the election gun ban rule, but have already been released after they posted bail for their temporary freedom.

Estolano also denied that they are cordoning the area, adding that police officers deployed in the area were just part of police visibility operations.

Estolano issued the statement after Revilla, who will continue on as a member of the Senate until 2016, vowed to initiate a congressional investigation into the incident.