NCRPO's Sinas defends arrest of activist couple in Manila

National Capital Region Police Office acting chief Police Brigadier General Debold Sinas on Saturday defended the arrest of a Gabriela Manila chapter chairperson and her husband for illegal possession of firearms.

Several groups on Friday condemned the simultaneous raids in Bacolod and in Manila that led to the arrest of more than 60 activists.

“Ang alam ng [Manila Police District], ang alam namin, these are mere violations (pertaining) firearms (and explosives). Ngayon lang namin nalaman kasi nag-rally ang Gabriella sa harap ng MPD. Sinasabi na nila na ito ay secretary ng ganito, ng ganun,” Sinas said in statement.

“So, again, we tasked our Intel Unit to coordinate with our allied units to check kung ano ba talaga yung background nila. Sa ngayon, wala pa kaming complete details kung sila ba talaga yan o registered member ba sila, or what. Ang ginawa lang ng MPD, is to implement the approved search warrants,” he added.

Authorities arrested Gabriela chairperson Cora Agovida and her partner Michael Bartolome in Manila's Paco district for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives.

Joint operatives from the NCRPO and MPD seized a caliber 45 COLT MKIV Series 70; one caliber 45 ARMSCOR; two magazines for caliber 45; 13 live ammunition for caliber 45; two hand grenades; and other belongings, Sinas' statement indicates.

Meanwhile, the suspects were brought to the MPD-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group office for booking, documentation, and for filing of appropriate charges. —Joahna Lei Casilao/LBG, GMA News