Arrest of NDF consultant is ‘a bad script’ – lawyer

Atty Rachel Pastores, counsel for NDFP consultant Rafael Baylosis. Noy Morcoso/Inquirer.net

A bad script.

This was how Atty. Rachel Pastores, legal counsel of detained National Democratic Front (NDF) consultant Rafael “Ka Raffy” Baylosis, described the “incredible” and “unbelievable” circumstances that surround his arrest.

“Gusto ko lang din po i-point out na ‘yung allegations po nila dito, ‘yung circumstances, ‘yung pag-aresto kay Ka Raffy ay malinaw po na incredible, unbelievable, at mayroon din pong hallmarks of perjury,” Pastores said in a press conference in Quezon City on Friday.

(I also want to point out that their allegations, the circumstances, the arrest of Ka Raffy are clearly incredible, unbelievable, and bore hallmarks of perjury.)

“Kumbaga it’s a bad script, gawa-gawang kwento; kahit po sa comics hindi papasa, hindi bebenta,” she added.

(It’s a bad script, a made-up story; it would not pass, it would not sell even in comic strips.)

Joint members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) intelligence groups arrested Baylosis and companion Roque Guillermo Jr. in Quezon City on Wednesday.

READ: NDF consultant arrested – Karapatan

According to a police report, Baylosis and Guillermo were arrested at around 3:45 p.m. as operatives were “conducting casing and surveillance” at Aurora Boulevard corner Katipunan Avenue after receiving information that “armed and suspicious-looking” persons were in the area.

Baylosis and Guillermo allegedly yielded two .45-caliber guns, 14 ammos, two magazines, cellphones, and assorted documents.

But Pastores disputed the police report, saying that Baylosis is a publicly known figure in the peace talks with government, and will not loiter in public “na parang sanggano na may nakasukbit na baril (like a thug tucking a gun).”

“It’s an insult to everybody kung sino man ang maniniwala sa ganyang klase ng kwento (who would believe in that kind of story),” she said.

Pastores also criticized the police’s move to add illegal possession of explosives charges against Baylosis.

She explained that on Thursday night, the Philippine National Police (PNP) charged the NDF peace consultant with illegal possession of explosives for the grenade allegedly found inside a bag of rice he was carrying.

Illegal possession of explosives is a non-bailable offense.

The lawyer said Baylosis underwent inquest proceedings on Thursday night at Camp Crame, where he is currently detained.

She also noted that the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 32 denied on Thursday the verbal motion of the prosecutor to cancel Baylosis’ bail.

Pastores said they are mulling over filing charges against the police and military officers who “illegally” arrested Baylosis.

She asserted that Baylosis was denied of his right to counsel and was not read of his rights before he was arrested.    /kga