3 Makati bar lawyers slapped with obstruction of justice rap

Metro Manila Police chief, Chief Supt. Guillermo Eleazar presents to the media several drug paraphernalia and other illegal drugs found inside the Time in Manila Bar in Makati City following a raid by the police. Photo: National Capital Region Police Office

The Makati City Police on Friday filed a complaint for obstruction of justice and violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 against the three lawyers monitoring the inventory of suspected drugs found at the Time in Manila Bar in the city.

Facing a complaint for violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, Resistance and Disobedience, violation of a city ordinance and Section 11 Article II of the Dangerous Drugs Act on constructive possession are lawyers Lenie Rocel Elmido Rocha, Jan Vincent Sambrano Soliven and Romulo Bernard Bustamante Alarkon.

The three lawyers are currently detained at the Makati police.

Complainants are the members of the Drug Enforcement Unit of the Makati City Police Station. It was filed before the Makati City Prosecutors Office.

According to the police, the lawyers allegedly harassed them while they were doing their inventory of the seized items at the bar.

“Construction possession” exists when the drug is under the dominion and control of the suspects or when he or she has the right to exercise control of the place where the drug was found.