POLICE chief Gen. Archie Gamboa yesterday dared critics to file charges against supposed abusive policemen who allegedly illegally arrested a member of the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (Kadamay) and raided the office of the urban poor group in Pandi, Bulacan on Sunday.
“If there are people who are aggrieved in the said raid… then let them file the necessary and appropriate action,” Gamboa told a press briefing at the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.
“I suggest file it with IAS (Internal Affairs Service) here at the NHQ (national headquarters) so that we can deal with it squarely,” Gamboa added.
Kadamay earlier condemned the “warrantless and baseless” arrest of its former health officer Rosalita Fortaleza and a companion. At least eight policemen also allegedly raided the group’s office without a search warrant and seized thousands of copies of the Pinoy
Weekly magazine, an independent print and online publication which is purportedly distributed to residents of the Pandi housing projects and members of Kadamay-Pandi. Kadamay has claimed that Fortaleza remains detained without any charges.
Central Luzon chief Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia said Fortaleza and his companion were caught not wearing face masks, in violation of community quarantine protocols.
Gamboa, citing a report submitted by Sermonia, said no raid transpired on Sunday. He said the printed materials were surrendered by Kadamay members, led by Pandi Kadamay president Lea Maralit, who feared these might be used against the group in relation to President Duterte’s State of the Nation Address yesterday.
Gamboa dismissed claims that the arrest of Fortaleza and the raid was a prelude to the implementation of the newly-signed Anti-Terrorism law.
He said the PNP has yet to implement the provisions of the law due to the absence of its implementing rules and regulations that would lay down the guidelines on the enforcement of the measure.
Militant groups had opposed the enactment of the law, which they said could lead to human rights violations.
