PNP chief Gamboa on Taguig condo incident: I trust my commanders

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday defended the armed policemen who stormed a high-end condominium in Taguig City over the weekend.

In a radio interview, Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa maintained that the cops who went to the condominium merely acted on a report that some residents were allegedly not observing social distancing in the said compound.

"I trust my commanders at nag-rule na 'yung chief of police that it is regular and he is supported by the regional director, so, ako, I stand by them kung ano 'yung decision ng chief of police," Gamboa said.

"I do believe in my commanders. Not unless the violation is so gross or talagang flagrant or sobra talaga then that's the only time I will take cognizance of the case," he added.

In a separate interview on Dobol B sa News TV, Gamboa said authorities have photos supposedly showing that residents were not observing social distancing.

"There were pictures taken that there were really violations of social distancing in the condominium," he said.

Gamboa said no one was arrested during the incident, however, there could be instances in which warrantless arrest could be applied.

"As a lawyer, meron ibang defined na areas ng condominium or just like any other places wherein warrants of arrest is being applied," he said.

"Now when do we apply for a search warrant, there are certain qualifications pero kapag may nagrequest ng assistance and then inabutan mismo doon, may personal knowledge ng pulis na meron nangyaring violation, right then and there puwede ngang warrantless arrest eh pero siyempre maraming arguments," Gamboa said.

He said individuals could be arrested if they do not show respect to cops or they disobey law enforcers.

"Kung sinisigawan mo ang pulis, that's already disobedience lalo na kapag naka-uniform. You know that they are policemen, they should be accorded the respect that we need so kapag ganoon na at ang tira na sa tao mo na mismo, sa pagiging pulis mo, then you can effect the arrest," Gamboa explained.

The PNP chief said the police are ready to face the charges if the management of the Pacific Plaza Towers decides to take legal action on the incident as residents, including children, were frightened of what happened last Sunday.

On the other hand, Gamboa said the police organization would look into its guidelines regarding responding to situations in condominiums.

"We will study also 'yung sa condominiums kung ano ang guidance kapag may mga reklamong ganyan," he said.

For his part, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año reminded owners of condominiums that they could not enforce their own rules and regulations in this period of health crisis and that they should respect law enforcers. —AOL, GMA News