PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Rodolfo S. Azurin Jr. on Monday defended members of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) who arrested UP-Diliman professor Melania Flores inside the UP campus last week on the strength of a court order.

“I don’t see any violation doon sa pag-se-serve ng ating police ng ating warrant of arrest,” the top cop told a press conference at Camp Crame.

He also maintained that the QCPD did not violate the 1992 agreement between UP and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) when its officers went to arrest Flores on the basis of a warrant issued by Judge Maria Gilda Loja-Pangilinan of the Q.C. Regional Trial Court Branch 230.

The PNP chief said the QCPD was only implementing an arrest order issued by a “competent court” when they arrested at her home last February 6 for her alleged failure to remit social security contributions by a housekeeper she formerly employed.

“As far as the status of the UP-DILG agreement, I think it’s very clear naman doon. It’s about the observance of academic freedom. And of course, siguro, the manner of entering the UP campuses, nandoon din,” Azurin explained.

“Pero ito kasing case ng UP professor, this is an implementation of a standing warrant of arrest. Hindi naman naka-indicate doon (UP-DILG accord) na hindi mo pwedeng i-serve iyong warrant of arrest sa specific area. Kahit saang area, kung saan matutunton iyong wanted, kailangan i-serve mo iyong kanyang warrant of arrest. Kaya i don’t see any violation dun sa pagseserve ng warrant of arrest. Binasahan pa nga siya ng Miranda Rights,” he added.

Supporters of Prof. Flores have said that the QCPD failed to observe the UP-DILG accord signed in 1992 which requires prior notice by a police unit intending to conduct an operation in any campus of the university except in cases of hot pursuit and similar emergencies, or in ordinary transit through UP premises.

However, QCPD director, Brigadier Gen. Nicolas D. Torre III maintained that his men were merely doing their job when they served the warrant of arrest issued against the professor by a competent court.

The accused was cited for violating Republic Act No. 8282 or the Social Security Act of 1997, for failure to remit Social Security System (SSS) contributions for her housemaid.

She was released after posting a P72,000 bail.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon