PNP pulls out men from Revilla compound

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday afternoon immediately pulled out its personnel from the area near the Revilla compound in Bacoor after failing to secure a search warrant.

Cavite Provincial Police Office spokesman Superintendent Rommel Estolano said the contingent was pulled out at about 3:30 p.m.

The contingent, composed of about 40 policemen, came from the Regional Police Safety Battalion. The policemen have been sent back to Imus town.

The police personnel were deployed near the compound last Monday after 30 armed men reportedly sought refuge in the house of Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr.

Estolano said they do not consider the development as a setback to their operations, noting that they were able to arrest six alleged personnel of the National Bureau of Investigation for violating the gun ban. The six alleged agents are supposedly part of the armed group that allegedly ran to the senator's residence.

Estolano also insisted that the police had also respected the constitutional rights of the suspects they arrested

PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said that the police organization is unfazed by the criticisms hurled by Revilla against the policemen who are running after the armed men.

Cerbo said the comments made by the senator would not discourage the Cavite policemen from performing their duty.

“Life goes on for the Cavite PPO (Provincial Police Office) with regard to the performance of their duty. We still have mission there like law enforcement and maintenance of peace and order and public safety,” Cerbo said.

"These (duties) will continuously be performed by the Cavite PPO and these would not be derailed by the accusations from Sen. Revilla and family,” he added.

Cerbo stressed that while they respect the views of the senator, they are ready to face the allegations against them.

“There is a proper venue to answer the accusations. If they file a case, we will welcome ir and if a resolution calling for a hearing is filed before the Senate, we will also welcome and we will cooperate,” the police spokesman said.

“We are not hiding anything,” he added.

'Harassment'

Last Monday, Revilla accused Cavite policemen of harassment for allegedly trying to enter his compound after an encounter with armed men who claimed to be from the NBI.

Revilla claimed the policemen are making it appear that he is keeping several firearms in his residence. He also accused the Cavite police of engaging in partisan politics.

Police officials, however, said they are running after alleged agents of the NBI who violated the gun ban and who sought refuge in Revilla’s house along Aguinaldo Highway in Bacoor.

Based on the PNP’s version of the story, six armed men who claimed to be connected with the NBI were arrested last Monday for violating the gun ban.

The arrest was made after the Bacoor City Police Station received complaints about the presence of armed men near Revilla’s compound at about 1 a.m.

Recovered from the suspects were two caliber .45 pistols, six magazines for caliber.45 pistol loaded with 52 live ammunition and one magazine for AK 47 containing 25 live ammunition.

The six armed men, five of them alleged NBI confidential agents, were charged for gun ban violation, usurpation of authority and unauthorized use of uniform.

The alleged “confidential agents” have posted bail while one suspect who is reportedly and organic NBI personnel is still being investigated.

Police officials said about 30 armed men ran to Revilla’s house after they were invited for questioning. - with Bjorn Beltran