Barangay execs convicted for illegal arrest

MANILA, Philippines - The Metropolitan Trial Court (MTC) in Manila found three barangay chairmen guilty of illegally arresting a resident and searching his house without a warrant.

In a joint decision reported by the Office of the Ombudsman on Monday, Judge Maria Ruby Camarista of Manila MTC Branch 1 convicted Zone 401's former chairman Arkie Rosales, and co-officials Roque Castro and Carlos Salvador of criminal charges.

The case stems from the arrest of Norberto Posecion, who was held at gun-point without judicial order, violating Article 269 of the Revised Penal Code.

Camarista said that Posecion could only be arrested on site only if he was caught committing an offense he was accused of.

The three barangay officials were also found guilty of violating rules on domicile stated in Article 129 of the Revised Penal Code. The said law prohibits public officers from entering houses against the will of their owners without court orders or issuances.

The conviction for unlawful arrest carries the penalty of imprisonment of six months and a fine of P500.00.

Penalties for violation of domicile is imprisonment ranging from six months and one day to two years and four months.

The case was initiated by the Office of the Ombudsman upon the sworn complaint of Posecion and his brother, Numeriano.

The Ombudsman said in a statement that Numeriano positively identified Rosales as the person who arrested Norberto in the case proceedings.

A 2008 incident showing the said village officials' purported "abuses", meanwhile, were recorded and uploaded on YouTube.