No irregularity in serving of arrest warrant vs. Sen. De Lima—PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said that there was no irregularity in the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (PNP-CIDG) serving of the warrant of arrest against Senator Leila M. De Lima on Thursday night. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)

MANILA—The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday said that there was no irregularity in the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (PNP-CIDG) serving of the warrant of arrest against Senator Leila M. De Lima on Thursday night.

The PNP made the clarification in the wake of an alleged agreement that the arrest of the senator would have to be implemented on Friday.

PNP Public Information Office (PIO) chief and spokesman Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said, in a press conference in Camp Crame, Quezon City on Friday, that there was nothing irregular in the arrest effected on Senator De Lima.

The clarification was also made following the formal turnover of the senator to the PNP Custodial Center in Camp Crame.

Carlos said that the PNP was only following the orders of the Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 204 to arrest Sen. De Lima.

The warrant of arrest issued on Thursday by Muntinlupa City RTC Executive Judge and Branch 204 Presiding Judge Juanita Guerrero does not impose any restrictions on the time the arrest can be made.

The PNP official said that when they received Thursday night a copy of the arrest warrant issued by the Muntinlupa City RTC, the arresting team immediately proceeded to Sen. De Lima’s house because she had announced to the media that she would be going home.

The arresting team was composed of the PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) operatives which was earlier instructed by PNP-CIDG chief Director Roel Obusan to implement the arrest warrant against De Lima.

When the arresting team did not find the senator at her house, they proceeded to the Senate based on the information that she had gone back to her office.

The PNP official said that the CIDG arresting team properly coordinated with the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms and agreed to serve the warrant in the morning, out of respect for the Senate as an institution.

Carlos added that De Lima was extremely cooperative, from the time the arrest was effected, up to the time she underwent the booking procedure, which made the entire process proceed quickly and smoothly.

“She (Sen. De Lima) was able to have her breakfast, may medical team who went inside to check her BP (blood pressure). Nag-normalize,” Carlos said.

“We will make sure that she (Sen. De Lima) is safe and secure while she is under our custody,” he adde