Batangas court voids 'Bloody Sunday' search warrant

A Tanauan City court has voided a search warrant issued against an activist whose home was among those raided by policemen during the "Bloody Sunday" operations in March that left nine people dead.

In an eight-page decision, the court also declared as quashed the information against Erlindo Baez, a Bayan coordinator in Batangas, and the cases against him as dismissed.

“Under the Constitution, any evidence obtained in violation of a person’s right against unreasonable searches and seizure shall be inadmissible for any purpose or proceeding,” the court's decision read.

The court also ordered the Tanauan City Police to release Baez from custody.

According to the decision, requisites for the issuance of a search warrant include specific description of the place that must be searched, among others.

The court said the search warrant issued by Presiding Judge Jason Zapanta of Manila Regional Trial Court Branch 74 only commanded officers to make an immediate search at “Brgy. San Vincente, Sto. Tomas City, Batangas.”

It further said that no pictures or documents were attached that would aid the officers in their search.

“It is therefore clear that the subject search warrants failed to specifically and sufficiently describe the place to be searched,” the court said.

Antonio La Viña, Constitutional Law Professor at the UP College of Law., previously said that the "Bloody Sunday" raids were a result of questionable search warrants.

Anna, Baez’s wife, had also narrated how cops allegedly planted evidence, including guns, grenades, and documents in their home in Batangas. —KBK, GMA News