PNP denies receiving pressure over Lee’s arrest

Chief Supt. Reuben Theodore Sindac INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines- The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday rejected claims they were being pressured by some personalities following the arrest of real-estate magnate Delfin Lee.

“Walang paghabol, pag-arbor o paghadlang sa pag-aresto sa kanya. We did not feel any pressure,” said PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Reuben Theodore Sindac in a press briefing.

Sindac was reacting to reports that Oriental Mindoro Gov. Alfonso Umali tried to block the arrest of Lee when the politician called PNP Chief Director General Allan Purisima.

Sindac said that on the part of the arresting PNP team, no negotiations were made to release Lee.

He reiterated that Lee’s arrest was legitimate amid claims of the real-estate magnate’s camp that the arrest warrant was no longer valid.

The operation of the PNP Task Force Tugis with the help of an informant led to the arrest of Lee at the Hyatt Hotel in Manila last March 6.

According to him, Lee is one of the “big five” fugitives included on the PNP list.

He said the PNP has intensified the manhunt for the remaining wanted men including Palawan Gov. Joel Reyes, his brother former Coron, Palawan Mayor Mario Reyes, Dinagat Rep. Ruben Ecleo Jr. and retired General Jovito Palparan.

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