MANILA, Philippines – Despite the absence of a warrant of arrest for Senator Antonio Trillanes IV, the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) trooped to the Senate as part of "proactive action," said Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday, September 10.
"Unang-una, dapat proactive tayo.... Hindi naman siguro natin kailangan nang utusan pa.... We should be ready for any order o kung ano pang susunod na pang-utusan," Albayalde told reporters during a press briefing.
(First, we should be proactive. We don't need an order. We should be ready for any order or to follow instructions.)
Last Tuesday morning, September 4, around 40 CIDG operatives arrived at the Senate armed only with President Rodrigo Duterte's Proclamation No. 572 which revoked Trillanes' amnesty and ordered his arrest.
Together with soldiers, the cops were stationed outside the Senate but were not allowed entry by the Senate sergeant-at-arms. (READ: PNP: We sent CIDG to ensure Trillanes' 'legal' arrest)
The CIDG is the PNP unit in charge of investigating high-profile crimes. It is usually tapped for high-profile arrests just as it was called to arrest Senator Leila de Lima in 2017.
However, CIDG chief Director Roel Obusan said they eventually put on hold any arrest after Duterte announced that he would defer action on Trillanes to the Supreme Court.
'For safety': Albayalde said PNP patrol vehicles and CIDG operatives will remain stationed at the Senate to ensure the safety of everyone in the building.
"We have also patrol vehicles outside the Senate for the security, not only for the senator, but for everybody. Pati 'yung mga employees (Even the employees)," he said.
The top cop added that "nobody in their right mind" would arrest someone without a court-issued warrant. – Rappler.com
Follow the developments here:
- PNP: Nobody in ‘right mind’ would arrest Trillanes without court warrant
- IBP hits DOJ for ‘mischief’ in Trillanes case
- Without saying why, Calida called Lorenzana for Trillanes’ amnesty records
- Duterte did not consult Lorenzana on Trillanes’ amnesty
- Trillanes eyes probe into multibillion projects ‘awarded’ to Bong Go’s family
- Trillanes will not leave Senate anytime soon: ‘I won’t fall into Duterte trap’
- Other amnesty certificates signed by Gazmin may be questioned – Roque
- Still no warrant, as judge tells DOJ to give Trillanes due process
- Calida asked for amnesty records of ‘100’ other ex-mutineers
- DOJ hands off on other Trillanes cases for now
- How can rebel groups trust gov’t negotiations again? – Alejano
Summaries:
- [WRAP | Day 1] Duterte voiding Trillanes' amnesty: Everything you need to know
- [WRAP | Day 2] Trillanes gets relief from court, DOJ seeks options
- [WRAP | Day 3] Looming Trillanes arrest jolts PH from sleep
- [WRAP | Day 4] Trillanes stays in Senate, Duterte changes tune on warrantless arrest
- [WRAP | Day 5] Family stands by Trillanes as Duterte slams senator
- [WRAP | Day 6] AFP chief Galvez, Honasan push for rule of law in Trillanes case
