MANILA, Philippines — Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta reminded court judges to exercise prudence in issuing arrest warrants, amid questions raised in the arrest of 62 activists and members of activist groups in Bacolod City. Last week, members of Bayan, Bayan Muna, Kilusang Mayo Uno, Karapatan, Gabriela, the National Federation of Sugar Workers and Negros Island Health Integrated Program were arrested after the police implemented search warrant in their offices. The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers questioned the basis of the search warrant, to establish probable cause, when, Karapatan and NUPL claimed, evidence of firearms where planted during the search. “Why is there seemingly a pattern to issue search warrants against political dissenters and critical groups from one and the exactly the same judge even if legally allowable?” NUPL raised. The NUPL noted that Villavert also issued warrants that led to the arrest of other activists and peace consultants.

Source: Philippine Star November 04, 2019 06:33 UTC