PNP open to probe on arrest of 3 lawyers in Makati bar

MANILA- The Philippine National Police (PNP) is open to an investigation on the conduct of its anti-illegal drug operation in a Makati bar which resulted in the arrest of 3 lawyers.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said Wednesday that the police force is open to any legislative inquiry, noting that the policemen involved in the operation must have had a good reason to arrest the lawyers.

"What we can assure our policemen is they will have our full legal support. Especially if they do everything in accordance to our POP (police operational procedures)," he told reporters.

"There is a presumption of regularity in all police operations," he added.

• Police defend arrest of 3 lawyers at Makati bar raid

Lawyers Jan Vincent Sambrano Solive, Lenie Rocel Elmido Rocha, and Romulo Bernard Bustamante Alarkon, were arrested Thursday last week at the Time in Manila bar in Makati City after allegedly committing “obstruction of justice” for monitoring the police during the cops' raid at the bar. They were released Friday night.

Police have filed charges of obstruction of justice, resistance and disobedience upon agents of authority, violation of a city ordinance against civilians crossing a police line, and constructive possession of illegal drugs against the 3 lawyers.

Malacañang earlier said it supports the policemen who arrested the lawyers while the Commission on Human Rights said it will conduct an investigation on the matter.

• Palace backs cops in arrest of 3 lawyers

-report from Raffy Santos, ABS-CBN News