Two opposition congressmen picked up the cudgels yesterday for Quezon City Rep. Michael Defensor, and lashed out at the police for trying to discredit him.
"They are doing all they can to discredit Congressman Defensor. They will throw everything at him, including possibly the kitchen sink," said Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri and Navotas-Malabon Rep. Federico Sandoval II.
The two lawmakers were referring to a testimony given by a confessed pimp who claimed Defensor regularly hired women for sex.
Zubiri said the witness, identified only as Eduardo, gave an incredible testimony.
"We are sure that the story of this witness will also crumble if subjected to questioning," Zubiri said.
Police officials, among them National Capital Region Police Office director Chief Superintendent Edgar Aglipay presented Eduardo to reporters at Camp Crame the other day.
Zubiri said the witness was presented so the police "could recover from the embarrassment they suffered when the story of their subalterns collapsed in Tuesday's hearing of the case."
During the hearing conducted jointly by the House committees on public order and security and on human rights, the four suspected pick-up girls arrested by Quezon City policemen last Feb. 16 testified that the law enforcers did not apprise them of their rights.
The girls claimed that during their 19-hour detention at Quezon City Police Station 10 in Kamuning district, they were never informed what charges would be filed against them, or that they were entitled to a lawyer, and may refuse to answer questions.
One of the girls also charged that station chief Superintendent Francisco Don Montenegro wanted to have sex with her older sister who was merely visiting her at the police station and arranging her bail.
Montenegro vehemently denied the accusation, indicating it was a trumped-up charge meant to destroy his reputation. He dismissed the incident at "part of the job."
Defensor, whom four Quezon City policemen accused of interfering in their job, admitted calling the police station on behalf of the girls who, he said, were illegally arrested.
"These officers, taking their cue from an unseen powerful personality, are also trying to put the political opposition off balance and erode its credibility in fiscalizing the administration," Zubiri said.
Meanwhile, police said they have more witnesses to firm up their allegation that the girls being defended by Defensor were pick-up girls operating at Padi's Point bar and restaurant on Timog Avenue in Quezon City.
As of yesterday, elements of the criminal investigation division (CID) of the Central Police District were gathering testimonies from witnesses on the arrest of Rona Villareal, Karen de Guzman, Georgilyn Ferriles and Jammer Adrias.
At least two taxi drivers have reportedly given statements asserting that the girls were engaged in the sex trade.
CID head Chief Inspector Eliseo Rasco said they have uncovered four other witnesses who would be "presented at the proper forum."