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Know Your Rights 2: Search Operations

Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and Free Legal Assistance Group

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/8/28/pcij1-082816.jpg"/></figure></div>Kapag ang bahay o opisina mo ay hinalughog o na-search, ano ang dapat gawin?When your house or office is searched, what should you do?* Ang bahay o opisina mo ay hindi pwedeng ma-raid o mahalughog kung walang search warrant na pirmado ng isang hukom o judge. Kung may valid search warrant, maari lang kunin ng search party ang mga bagay na partikular na nakalista sa search warrant, liban na lang kung pumayag ka, at mga bagay o kontrabando na hayag na nakita. Gayunman, kung ikaw ay inaresto, ikaw at ang kinalalagyan mo (immediate surroundings) ay maari ring halughugin para sa mga deadly weapon o anumang ebidensiya na may sangkot ka sa krimen na dahilan ng iyong pagka-aresto, at ang mga ito ay maaring kunin o masamsam ng search party.* Your house or office cannot be searched without a warrant duly issued by a judge. When a valid search warrant is issued, the searching party can only seize those things that are particularly described in the search warrant, unless you consent, or the articles are contraband in plain view. However, if you are arrested, your person and immediate surroundings may be searched for dangerous weapons and evidence that you committed the crime for which you are being arrested; any evidence, which may be found on your person or immediate vicinity can be seized.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/8/28/pcij2-082816.jpg"/></figure></div>Valid ang search warrant kung:* A search warrant is valid if:– Ito ay pinag-utos ng isang judge; – Isang kasalanan lamang ang nakalista rito; – Partikular na nakasaad ang eksaktong lokasyon o address ng lugar na dapat i-search at malinaw na nakalista ang mga bagay na dapat makuha o masamsam; – Ito ay ginamit sa loob ng sampung araw matapos mapirmahan ng judge. – It is ordered by a judge; – It specifies one offense only; – It describes with particularity the exact location and/or address of the place to be searched and lists down exactly what things are to be seized; – It is used within ten days from issuance.Dapat ay sa araw i-serve ang isang search warrant. Pero kung nakasaad sa mga salaysay o affidavit na sumusuporta sa search warrant na ang bagay na gustong masamsam ay personal na dala ng tao o nasa lugar na hahalughugin, maaring i-serve o gamitin ang search warrant ng mga otoridad anumang oras ng araw o gabi kung ito’s nakasulat sa warrant.* A search warrant must be served during the daytime, unless the affidavits supporting it asserts that the property is on the person or in the place ordered to be searched, in which case the warrant must specifically direct that it can be served at any time of the day or night.Kung hindi valid ang warrant, ang search at seizure operation ay iligal at labag sa batas. Anumang ebidensiya ang makuha sa isang iligal na search ay hindi pwedeng gamitin sa anumang kaso o paglilitis. Maari kang tumanggi ng mahinahon nang walang nilalabag na batas sa isang iligal na search at seizure operation. Maari ka ring magsampa ng kasong criminal, civil o disciplinary action laban sa mga otoridad na nagsagawa ng search gamit ang isang hindi valid na warrant.* If the warrant is invalid, the search and seizure is unlawful. Any evidence obtained as a result of an unlawful search and seizure cannot be used as evidence in any proceeding. You may peacefully refuse, without liability, an unlawful search and seizure. You may also file criminal, civil, or disciplinary action cases against the officer serving an unlawful warrant.Kung walang search warrant, huwag magboluntaryong sumailalim sa isang search. Agad na tumutol. Huwag pumayag na ma-search ngunit huwag din tumannggi sa paraang pisikal at marahas. Ang isang warrantless search na walang malinaw, pauna, at boluntaryong pagpayag mo ay iligal.* When there is no search warrant, do not voluntarily submit yourself to a search. Object immediately. Do not agree to be searched but do not physically resist. A warrantless search without your express, prior, and voluntary consent is illegal.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/8/28/pcij3-082816.jpg"/></figure></div>Habang may operation:During a search:Bago pumayag na ma-search ang iyong bahay o opisina, hingin at basahin ang search warrant. Masusing suriin ito at alamin kung: – Nakasulat dito ang iyong address; – Nakalarawan dito ang partikular na bahay na dapat ma-search; – Pirmado ito ng isang sibilyan na judge; – Nakalista dito ang isa lamang offense or paglabag sa batas; – Ginamit ito sa loob ng sampung araw matapos ma-issue ng judge. * Before allowing your house or office to be searched, ask for and read the search warrant. Examine it carefully to see if it: – states your address; – describes the house to be seized with particularity; – is signed by a civilian judge; – specifies only one offense; – is being used within 10 days from its issuance.Kumonsulta agad-agad sa iyong abogado (sa pamamagitan ng telepono o text) at ipaalam sa kanya na may search na magaganap na sa iyong bahay o opisina.* Contact your lawyer by the most expedient means (telephone, text message) and inform him/her that your home or office is about to be searched.Matapos magbigay ng kaukulang notice ukol sa dahilan ng search at magpakita ng balidong warrant, maaring sirain ng search party ang anumang outlet o pintuan o bintana upang mag-search operation, kapag tumanggi ang maybahay o opisina na sila ay papasukin.The search party has the right to break any outlet or inner door or window to effect the search if the search party is refused admittance to the place of the search after giving notice of the purpose and authority for the search.Kung balido ang warrant, saka lamang maari mong payagan ang search operation. Pagkapasok sa iyong bahay o opisina ng search party, hingin mo ang kanilang mga pangalan, rank, at opisina at yunit na kanilang kinabibilangan. Kunin din ang pangalan at rank ng kanilang commanding officer.* If it is a valid warrant, only then should you allow the search to be conducted. Upon letting the search party enter your premises, ask for their names, rank, and the office or unit to which they belong. Get the name and rank of the commanding officer.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/8/28/pcij4-082816.jpg"/></figure></div>Habang may search operation, subaybayan ang search team sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Ito ay upang makaiwas sa posibildad na magtanim ang search party ng anumang dokumento, armas, o ibang bagay sa iyong bahay o opisina.* During the search, accompany the group conducting the search at all times. This lessens the possibility of their planting documents, weapons, or other materials in your home or office.TANDAAN: Ang search party ay pwede lang magsagawa ng search operation sa harap ng ligal na occupant o miyembro ng pamilya na nakatira o may-ari ng bahay o opisina. Kung wala ang mga ito habang may search operation, ang search ay dapat maganap sa harap ng dalawang witness na may sapat na edad at kamulatan at nakatira sa lokalidad. Ibig sabihin, walang aumang kuwarto, cabinet, sulok o bahagi ng bahay o opisina ang pwedeng ma-search kung wala ang dalawang witness na ito.REMEMBER: The search party is allowed to conduct the search only in the presence of the lawful occupant or any member of his/her family. If no occupant or family member is present, the search must be conducted in the presence of two witnesses of sufficient age and discretion who reside in the locality. This means that every room, compartment, section or portion of the place cannot be searched unless the above witnesses are present.Kung may nakuha o nasamsam sa iyong bahay o opisina, ang police officer na kukuha ng mga ito ay dapat bigyan ka ng detalyadong resibo. Bago mo pirmahan at tanggapin ang resibo:(a) Basahin at suriin ito ng mabuti pang masiguro na tumpak ang pagkalista, pagsalarawan at bilang ng mga ito;(b) Kung may espasyong blanko sa resibo na maaring gamitin ng mga tiwaling pulis para dagdagan ng mga bagay na hindi naman nakuha sa iyong bahay o opisina, sabihan ang police officer na sulatan ng linya ang espasyong blanko.(c) Pilitin na bigyan ka ng kopya ng resibo; kapag pumayag ang search team,, siguruhing eksakto at tumpak ang kopya na ibinigay ng tulad sa orihinal na resibo;(d) Kung mayroong bagay sa resibo na tila “incriminating”, sabihan ang search party na mayroon kang karapatan na sumangguni sa iyong abogado at karapatang huwag magbigay ng pahayag, at ayaw mong pirmahan ang resibo hangga’t hindi mo nakakausap ang iyong abogado.* If anything is taken from your home or office, the officer seizing the property must give you a detailed receipt. Before signing the receipt:(a) Go over it carefully to ensure its accuracy in designation, description, and quantity;(b) If there are blank spaces that might be used by unscrupulous police officers to “add” items that were not actually found during the search, ask the officer to place a line across the blank space;(c) Insist that you be given a copy of the receipt, if they agree, make sure that the copy accurately reflects the original;’(d) if there is anything in the receipt that tends or appears to be incriminating, tell the searching party you are invoking your right to a lawyer and to remain silent and that you refuse to sign anything without talking to your lawyer first.<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/news-special1/nation/8/28/pcij5-082816.jpg"/></figure></div>Maaring humiling ang search party na pumirma ka sa isang katibayan na naging maayos ang search operation. Kung taliwas ang nangyari, huwag pumirma. Ipahayag ang iyong pagtutol. Gayunman, basahing mabuti ang kasulatan at sabihan ang police officer na nais mong kumonsulta muna sa iyong abogado.* You may be asked to sign an affidavit of orderly search. If the search was not conducted in an orderly manner, do not sign the affidavit. Instead, register your objection. In any case, read it very carefully and tell the police officers you want to consult your lawyer before you sign anything.