QC police arrest transport group leader San Mateo

Transport group leader George San Mateo raises a clenched fist as the Quezon City Police District take his mug shot at the police headquarters. INQURIER.net / Pathricia Ann Roxas

Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Opereytor Nationwide (Piston) President George San Mateo was arrested by elements of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) at the QC Hall of Justice on Tuesday.

San Mateo was supposed to post bail at the QC metropolitan trial court branch 43 after a QC court judge ordered his arrest for violating Section 20 of the Commonwealth Act No. 146, or the Public Service Act in relation to the transport strikes he led earlier this year.

But QCPD cops barred him from entering the building and arrested him.

Right after the arrest, San Mateo was brought to the QC Police Station 10 in Kamuning.

“The crime charged against him is bailable and a minor offense. We are expecting na rerespetuhin nila ‘yung rights nya (they will respect his rights),” San Mateo’s lawyer Vicente Jaime Topacio told reporters, adding that all the requirements for bail were already accomplished by him.

“Personal appearance na lang sa court ang kulang eh at inaresto sya sa mismong hall of justice na eh (The only lacking is his personal appearance in court but he was already arrested at the hall of justice),” Topacio said.

Topacio added that San Mateo wanted to prevent “drama and delay” in the process.

“Medyo nakakabahala dahil ngayon lang ako nakakita na magbabayad na ng pyansa at nasa court pa pero inaresto pa rin (It is quite disturbing because this is the first time I see someone who was about to post bail but still got arrested),” he said.

“Ayaw na nga sana namin i-delay yung proseso at may drama pa, kaso inaresto pa nila (We actually do not want to cause delay and put some drama but still they arrested him),” he added.

After undergoing procedures at the police station, San Mateo’s camp would continue to post his bail at the MTC branch 43. /jpv

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