PNP welcomes Kadamay’s filing of complaints vs Pandi cops

August 30, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday welcomed the filing of charges of Kadamay group against members of Pandi Police Station before the Office of the Ombudsman.

In a radio interview, Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, PNP spokesperson, said this will give the police a chance to explain what really happened last July 26.

“We welcome Kadamay group’s filing of charges against the (Pandi) cops...the PNP respects the right of every individual to file a case and if they think the (police) violated their rights… they can file a case and on the part of the PNP, they can explain their side in a proper forum about their action and we will let the court decide if their actions are right or wrong,” Banac said.

Banac could not say if the incident was a violation of the newly-passed Anti-Terrorism Act.

“The incident in Pandi started as a violation of quarantine measures after the one burning the documents was cautioned by the cops and according to their conversation, the group willingly and voluntarily turned over their documents but after giving them to the authorities, the story suddenly changed and the group is now saying that the cops illegally confiscated the documents,” he said.

Last August 28, Kadamay filed charges against key members of the Pandi PNP at the Ombudsman for alleged illegal raid and intimidation that led to the seizure of flyers of the group and copies of Pinoy Weekly.

Kadamay said the complaint will address the incident but this came after relentless police presence terrorizing the occupied community in Pandi.

PNP chief General Archie Gamboa said those who felt aggrieved in the incident could file a case at PNP- Internal Affairs Service (IAS). He also said that the incident could not be a violation of the Anti-Terrorism Act. Ella Dionisio/DMS