Hostage taker denies police planted drugs on him

March 4, 2020

The V-Mall hostage taker on Wednesday doused rumors on social media  illegal drugs were planted on him when he was arrested after a ten-hour drama last Monday.

“Since ( I was) arrested, a lot of (departments) already conducted search on me but no one said that there is illegal possession of illegal drugs,” Alchie Paray said after he underwent inquest in the San Juan City Prosecutors Office.

Paray said speculations posted on social media that a police officer in plainclothes planted illegal drugs on him when he was arrested was not true.

“I can personally say that it did not happen like that. Maybe they just misinterpreted it. What really happened is they just handcuffed me,” he said.

“We just came back from the inquest proceedings and they informed me what crimes I’ll be facing. It is clear to me that there is no illegal possession of illegal drugs,” he added.

In a statement, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Major General Debold Sinas clarified the alleged object pulled out from the pocket of the policeman was a handcuff.

“He pulled out his handcuff and tried to give it to the arresting officers. It was his intuition to lend a hand to his fellow police officers who were apprehending the resistant suspect,” Sinas said.

“Let us not get our countrymen misled and misinformed. We have no other intention that night but to pacify the crisis, to rescue the victims and apprehend the suspect safely,” he added.

Sinas assured the public that Paray will be safe in the hands of the authorities.

“Our fellowmen has nothing to worry for I made a clear instruction- keep him safe. None of the police officers hurt the suspect. No untoward incident happened to him last night while he was under the custody of San Juan City Police Station as I have visited him yesterday,” he said.

“He will be safe and properly investigated. The public can be assured of that,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS