PNP defends Ujano's arrest; daughter says it was 'baseless'

Newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police Lieutenant General Dionardo Carlos on Tuesday defended the arrest of Ma. Salome Crisostomo Ujano, saying it was based on a court order.

Interviewed on Unang Balita, Carlos said the arrest was based on a valid warrant of arrest issued by the court in connection with a rebellion charge filed against Ujano 15 years ago.

“Sa amin po ay pagpapatupad ng utos ng korte laban sa isang tao na may utos na arestuhin [We are following the order of the court to arrest this person],” he said.

Ujano’s daughter, Karla, earlier said on Facebook that the rebellion charge has no basis and her mother has no idea of this prior to her arrest.

“Walang batayan ang nasabing kaso dahil noong 2005 ay aktibo siyang naglilingkod bilang executive director ng Women's Crisis Center. Wala siyang kaalam alam sa kaso na wala man lang pinadalang impormasyon sa kanya,” she said.

(This has no basis because in 2005, my mother was actively serving as executive director of the Women's Crisis Center. She has no prior information about the rebellion case.)

Ujano has been the National Coordinator of the Philippine Against Child Trafficking since 2008. She was also a part of the Women’s Crisis Center from 1990-2007 and served as its executive director for six years.

The arrest order was issued by Judge Virgilio Alpajora of Regional Trial Court Branch 59 in Lucena City on June 28, 2006 after Ujano’s alleged involvement in a series of “atrocities” in Quezon province in 2005 that resulted in the ambush of two military personnel.

Ujano was arrested in Barangay Mabolo in Malolos, Bulacan, on Sunday. Carlos said she was among the government’s most wanted list with a P5-million reward for arrest under a joint order.

According to Carlos, due to Ujano’s age of 64, she was provided with a personal nurse to closely monitor her health condition and safety from possible COVID-19 exposure.

Several activist organizations have expressed their indignation over Ujano’s arrest. —KBK, GMA News