MANILA – The three lawyers who had been arrested in a bar in Makati City were released from jail Friday night.
Lawyers Lenie Rocel Rocha, Jan Vincent Sambrano and Romulo Bernardo Alarkon from the Desierto and Desierto law firm spent more than 24 hours in detention.
They were arrested by police officers who were serving a search warrant in the Time in Manila bar which is suspected to be a drug den. Police accused the lawyers of obstruction of justice.
Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Romel Odronia signed an order that recommended the release of the lawyers, who represented the owners of the Time in Manila bar.
Deputy City Prosecutor Henry recommended for approval the Aug. 17 order, which was approved by Senior City Deputy Prosecutor Emmanuel Medina.
But the lawyers were still not off the hook. They need to return to the Makati Prosecutor’s Office for the preliminary investigation on Aug. 28.
Meanwhile, National Capital Region Police Office director Guillermo Eleazar defended the arrest of three lawyers.
Eleazar on Saturday said the lawyers were apprehended after repeatedly refusing to identify themselves and their client.
“Pumasok na lang ‘yung tatlo nang hindi nagpapaalam,” Eleazar said. “They were cautioned by the police there. They were asked identification but they refused. Nakialam na sila. They interfered in the police operation.”
Aside from taking photos, the lawyers also tried to prevent the operatives from proceeding to the third floor to conduct a search of the premises, Eleazar added./PN
