Hataman slams warrantless arrest of 2 Muslim traders tagged as drug suspects

House Deputy Speaker and Basilan Representative Mujiv Hataman on Sunday decried the warrantless arrest of two Muslim traders in Manila who were tagged as drug suspects by police.

Saadudin Alawiya and Abdullah Maute were arrested and had their homes searched without a court order on June 12 by cops from the Manila Police District.

"Hindi pa nga nagiging batas ang Anti-Terrorism Bill, may narinig na naman tayo na mga kuwento ng pang-aabuso ng mga pulis sa mga kapatid nating Muslim,” Hataman said in a statement.

“Paano pa kaya pag naging ligal na ang warrantless arrest sa ilalim ng panukalang ito? Ano na ang proteksyon ng mga Moro at iba pang Pilipino mula sa pang-aabuso?" added the lawmaker who voted against the controversial measure.

Anti-illegal drugs agents allegedly stormed the houses of the suspects without identifying themselves and presenting a search warrant.

Relatives of Alawiya and Maute documented the four-hour ordeal on social media, explaining that the two were legitimate jewelry traders and not drug peddlers.

Hataman urged the Philippine National Police to probe the incident.

"I hope that this will not be commonplace if the Anti-Terrorism Bill is signed into law. This is another reason to oppose such measures. If in drug cases, law enforcement can disregard basic rights of citizens, what more under this measure where they will be given more powers and more discretion?" he said. — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News