Lacson laments criticisms vs. PNP amid arrest of Dr. Naty Castro

STA. CRUZ, Laguna— Presidential candidate and Senator Panfilo Lacson on Tuesday empathized with the Philippine National Police (PNP) after the law enforcers received criticisms over the arrest of Dr. Naty Castro.

In a chance interview after their campaign rally in Sta. Cruz, Lacson noted how the police force was criticized after their “simple service of a warrant of arrest."

“In fairness to the PNP naman ‘yung mga pagbatikos sa kanila ‘yung pag-aresto doon sa isang doktor, it turns out ngayon mayroon palang warrant of arrest. Kapag hindi naman talaga isinerve ang warrant of arrest, mapupulaan din ang PNP,” Lacson, a former PNP chief, said.

(In fairness to the PNP, they were receiving criticisms over the arrest of one doctor but it turns out that there is a pending warrant of arrest against her. The PNP will also receive criticisms if they did not serve the warrant of arrest.)

“Ang PNP talagang laging nasa receiving end ng mga pagtuligsa na minsan ‘di naman nakikita pa kung ano ang puno’t dulo ng issue (The PNP is always at the receiving end of criticisms because sometimes we do not see the cause of the issue),” he added.

Lacson also welcomed statements from government officials, clarifying the issues hounding Castro’s arrest.

On Monday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año defended the PNP on the arrest of the physician who was accused of being a ranking member of the Communist Party of the Philippines. Castro's family denied the accusation.

“So I’m glad [they] issued a statement clarifying na ‘yung pag-aresto walang kinalaman sa mga political activities kung hindi a simple service of a warrant of arrest. So anong masama doon?” he asked.

(I’m glad they issued a statement clarifying that the arrest has nothing to do with her political activities. It is just a simple service of warrant of arrest. What’s wrong with that?)

Last Friday, Castro, an advocate of Lumad communities in Mindanao, was arrested by PNP

The PNP said Castro is facing kidnapping and serious illegal detention charges, which has been denied by her family and the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).

In a Facebook post last week, Jun Castro, brother of the arrested doctor, appealed for help and said the charges are "all untrue."

According to Año, Castro is now under the custody of the court and is detained at the Bayugan City Police Station where her lawyers can visit her to prepare for her defense.

FLAG on Sunday, however, questioned the accuracy of the arrest warrant for Castro.

The CPP last Saturday condemned the  "unlawful arrest and unjust detention" of Castro, stressing she should be released immediately and charges against her should be dropped.

Castro's batchmates in medical school also demanded that the physician be released from detention immediately saying the charges against her were related to her work.

The University of the Philippines Manila also called for justice and expressed concern over the arrest of Castro who is an alumna of UPM College of Medicine Class 1995.

Castro expressed her gratitude to those who have been helping her, and for the outpouring of public support.—AOL, GMA News