Gen. Dionardo Carlos, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), defended on Sunday, Feb. 20, the police operation that led to the arrest of community doctor Maria Natividad Castro in San Juan City.
Carlos said they expect negative reactions especially on the side of the relatives but insisted that it was a legitimate operation.
He was reacting to the statements issued by the relatives of Castro, saying that the police forcibly barged into the house being occupied by the doctor and that the arrest warrant has no specific name.
"They will always say something that would defend what was the subject of the warrant of arrest. But at the end of the day, what was our basis? What was the legal order of the court?," said Carlos.
"If there is a legal order of a competent court as law enforcers we follow it. Everybody will tell their innocence," he added.
Castro was arrested based on the arrest warrant issued by a Regional Trial Court of Bayugan City for a case of kidnapping with serious illegal detention involving a government militiaman in 2018. There was no bail recommended.
In a statement, the PNP described Castro as a high-ranking officer of the Communist Party of the Philppines- New People's Army (CPP-NPA).
Carlos then advised those who are questioning the operation to bring their concerns to the court.
After he arrest, Castro was immediately flown to Agusan del Sur.