Pacquiao hits judge behind warrant to search Mayor Espinosa’s jail cell

Senator Manny Pacquiao on Thursday criticized the judge who issued the warrant to search slain Albuera, Leyte Mayor Rolando Espinosa's detention cell, saying “common sense” dictates that a detained person cannot be a subject of such a document.

“'Yung judge na nag-issue ng search warrant, dapat common sense na lang rin,” Pacquiao told "Unang Hirit" on Thursday morning.

Pacquiao was referring to Judge Tarcelo Sabarre Jr. of the Regional Trial Court Branch 30 in Basey, Samar, who issued the search warrants on Espinosa and drug suspect Raul Yap, both killed in the alleged shootout inside the Baybay City Sub-Provincial Jail on November 5.

“Although wala namang batas prohibiting the issuance of search warrant in any government facility, common sense na lang rin dahil 'yung search warrant is applicable only if the person has the right to privacy,” Pacquiao said.

The senator earlier questioned why the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) applied for the issuance of a search warrant on Espinosa, noting that the mayor was already detained at the Baybay Sub-Provincial Jail on drug-related charges.

“Ginagamit itong search warrant because of the right to security, privacy, property, [of] persons,” Pacquiao explained.

“Wala na’tong right to privacy kasi nakakulong siya. Hindi na ... kailangan mag-apply ng search warrant. No need kasi nakakulong na siya ... nasa government facility na siya,” he added.

Extrajudicial killing?

Pacquiao, during the Unang Hirit interview, also said that he could not say yet if the death of Espinosa can be considered an extrajudicial killing.

“Mahirap sabihin right now na may extra-judicial killing. Actually I don't use extra-judicial killing kasi 'yung definition kasi nun, pangit pakinggan. Parang ang government natin ay may authority na maipag-uutos na patayin,” the senator said.

He said that it is better to finish the investigations first before making any judgments.

“Hindi pa natin masabi na may extrajudicial killing o may foul doon sa nangyari dahil ongoing 'yung investigation," he added.

But he admitted seeing some irregularities in the actions of the police.

“Para sa akin, may mga pagkukulang at pagkakamali ang mga pulis doon sa operation na 'yun,” Pacquiao said but did not elaborate.

Also, he said that the police must not take advantage of the authority given to them by the president.

“Sabihin sa mga pulis na ayusin nila 'yung trabaho nila. 'Wag abusuhin 'yung binigay na authority ng pangulo, 'yung authority na binigay sa kanila na linisin ang lahat ng ano,” he said.

“Nakasuporta kami sa pangulo sa pagsugpo ng ilegal na droga pero ingatan din natin na makalabag tayo, maabuso natin ang kapangyarihan, ang authority na binibigay sa atin, at maapakan natin ang mga innocent na tao,” he added. —LBG, GMA News