Sinas defends serving of warrants in wee hours vs. NDFP consultants in Angono

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas on Thursday defended the predawn police operation against couple Eugenia Magpantay and Agaton Topacio last November 25, saying it was done to prevent the suspects from escaping.

"Anytime at day and night ay i-serve ang search warrant. Pangalawa, kaya madaling-araw para di nila matiktikan o malaman. Kasi imagine mo kung magsearch kami ng umaga, makita ng buong kabayanan nila, baka may mga spotter sila, may mga contact sila so pagdating namin doon, nakatakas na sila," Sinas said in an interview on ANC.

"Kaya ganoon ang ginamit nating approach para di alam kung anong oras magconduct ng search," he added.

Amid criticisms on the operation, Sinas insisted that the police are authorized to conduct the operation as they were armed with search and arrest warrants.

"We do not go there kung wala po kaming authority. 'Yung kay Topacio, Magpantay, mayroon po kaming search warrant at kaakibat noon may mga warrant of arrest sila for murder, dalawa sila," Sinas said.

"As to what happened, I leave that to the commanders, sila po ang nakakaalam noon. Kami we just set guidelines and to monitor their implementation. So far, dito sa amin sa taas, tama 'yung pagpapatupad ng search warrant, mayroon po kami ng in-issue ng korte at nagservice ng warrant of arrest for murder at attempted homicide," he added.

Operatives from the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group of the Calabarzon police implemented the search warrants against the couple last week at 3 a.m. for alleged violations of the Republic Act 10591 or the Illegal Possession of Explosives.

The warrants of arrest for homicide and murder cases were also implemented against the couple, who were former peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines.

Topacio and Magpantay, both senior citizens, allegedly resisted arrest, which resulted in an encounter.

The injured couple was brought to the Rizal Provincial Hospital but was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician.

Sinas has said the Internal Affairs Service will investigate if cops abused their authority during the operation.—AOL, GMA News