Camotes officials challenge warrant in court

CEBU, Philippines — Mayor Aly Arquillano and his brother Vice Mayor Alfredo Arquillano of San Francisco, Camotes, who were charged before the court for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives, have filed a relief anew.

Former Regional Trial Court (RTC) judge Meinrado Paredes, the lead counsel of the Arquillanos, said a motion to quash a search warrant or to suppress evidence was filed before the sala of RTC Judge Leopoldo Cañete of Branch 60 in Barili yesterday.

The Arquillano camp questioned the legality of the issuance of the search warrant.

“There is no compelling reason for the court to issue a search warrant and there is no probable cause to issue the same,” he said.

Paredes added San Francisco, Camotes, is outside the jurisdiction of RTC Branch 60.

Operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Branch of the Cebu Provincial Police Office allegedly recovered a .22 cal. rifle, an AR-15 rifle, a .45 cal. pistol, ammunition, and a hand grenade from the Arquillanos’ ancestral house in Barangay Poblacion, during the implementation of the search warrant last April 4.

Police Captain Alejandro Batobalonos, PIB chief, stood behind the legality of Cañete’s search warrant.

“We mentioned in our justification that the Danao RTC had a full schedule when we scheduled our application for a hearing. Mao, we applied in Barili RTC. Second, this is to avoid leakages,” he said.

Though there were no history of information leakages under his leadership, Batobalonos said some police units have had this in the past and they wanted to avoid it.

When asked why they did not apply in courts in Lapu-Lapu City, Mandaue City, and Cebu City which is nearer, Batobalonos said these courts didn’t accept their application.

“Di ni sila mo-accept kay province man ta,” he explained.

Batobalonos said they applied for a search warrant after they were able to validate report that the Arquillanos were keeping firearms despite the police drive to provide amnesty for surrendered loose firearms.

Paredes said Monday they had filed their motion to post bail before the trial court in Danao. This after, the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office recommended no bail for illegal possession of explosives.

The Arquillanos are currently detained at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology in Danao City.

Paredes said the prosecution is given 10 days to file their answer to their motion to post bail before the court will render its resolution. — BRP (FREEMAN)