Manila – Malacañang has defended the recent police operations conducted on the offices of militant groups in Bacolod City and Manila that resulted in the arrest of alleged activists.
Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said the government was mandated to conduct raids and look into complaints about alleged criminal activities.
“The government policy is always to investigate complaints on criminal activities and if they have evidence, then they will take action,” Panelo said. “It was the job of the police to conduct surveillance if they have basis for it.”
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Region VI, the Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, Joint Task Force-Negros, and the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office raided the offices of Kilusang Mayo Uno, Gabriela Negros Center and the Negros Federation of Sugar Workers in Bacolod City.
The operations were conducted following the issuance of search warrants by the court for alleged violation of Republic Act 10591 or the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
Meanwhile, authorities arrested Gabriela chairperson Cora Agovida and her partner Michael Bartolome for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives in a raid in Manila.
Leftist group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan, however, accused security forces of planting evidence during the raids in Bacolod City./PN
