RTC dismisses petition vs Olongapo policemen

OLONGAPO CITY – The Regional Trial Court Branch 75 in this city has dismissed a petition filed against members of the Olongapo City police SWAT team and Subic Police Office in connection with the detention of security guards of Goodman Security Solution Inc. assigned at Magdalena Homes Subdivision in Subic, Zambales.

In an order issued by RTC Judge Raymond Viray on Dec. 5, the court threw away the habeas corpus petition filed by Magdalena Homeowners Association president Merlita Roque on behalf of eight security guards detained by police authorities.

Roque’s petition asked that the 10 respondent police officers led by Police Senior Inspector Norberto Sta. Maria to produce the body of the security guards and to justify their arrest and continued detention.

Roque said the guards were illegally arrested without warrant and likewise detained after an assault by the Olongapo SWAT team at the subdivision on Nov. 29.

However, Viray said in his ruling that the petition for habeas corpus “is no longer the proper remedy” because criminal information have already been filed against the petitioners.