No ‘warrantless search,’ just bar brawl, Laguna cops say

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna — Police here belied a report circulating online that police officers supposedly conducted a warrantless search against students of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) in relation to the government’s crackdown on illegal drugs.

A Facebook message posted by Sakbayan, a student alliance at UPLB, raised an alarm against police officers supposedly searching students’ bags at Tresto Garden Restaurant and at LB Square at 11 p.m. Tuesday. Both establishments are outside the UPLB campus.

“We have been informed that police officers are allegedly conducting search of bags at LB Square and Tresto in connection with ‘Oplan Tokhang.’ Sakbayan advises everyone to stay vigilant and assert our right to refuse such searches as these are not allowed unless a search warrant is present,” the post read.

But Supt. Arvin Avelino, Los Baños police chief, denied the warrantless search of UPLB students.

He said policemen were at LB Square that time only to break up a bar brawl.

“We were only responding to it. Eventually those involved agreed to settle instead of pressing charges,” Avelino said.

The management of Tresto Garden Restaurant also issued a statement saying an antidrug campaign was never done in the establishment. —Kimmy Baraoidan and Maricar Cinco