PNP to respond to CA's writ of habeas corpus, insists 2 missing activists not in its custody
Don’t look at us.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) denied on Sunday, July 16, that the two activists, who were ordered to be presented by the Court of Appeals, are neither arrested by the police nor under their custody since they went missing in April this year.
In a statement, PNP chief information officer Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said they already have certifications from various units concerned stating that both Dexter Capuyan and Gene Roz Jamil De Jesus are not under their custody.
“The PNP strongly and categorically denies the allegation that the subject of the writs of Habeas Corpus, Capuyan and De Jesus, was arrested by the PNP,” said Maranan.
“In fact, when the two were first reported missing, the PNP immediately exerted diligent effort to locate the whereabouts of these missing individuals in faithful compliance with our duty to serve and protect the people,” he added.
Capuyan and de Jesus were reported missing on April 28 in Taytay, Rizal and there were allegations that they were arrested by armed men who introduced themselves as policemen.
The two remain missing and this prompted their respective families to seek the assistance of the court, which in turn, issued a resolution mandating both the PNP and the military to produce them.
Maranan, however, said the two remain listed as missing persons and subject to follow-up searches thru backtracking from the time they were last seen.
“They are neither among the list of Persons Under Police Custody nor can they be found within any PNP facilities,” said Maranan.
The military earlier said that both Capuyan and de Jesus are not in their custody.
Maranan, however, said that the PNP is set to file its return of the writ on Tuesday, July 18, 2023.
“Again, the PNP denies participation and responsibility with regard to the allegation in the petition and we are confident that the subsequent hearings set on August 3 and 10 will shed more light on the matter and will finally be ruled in favor of the PNP,” said Maranan.
“Rest assured that the PNP will continue to perform its mandate in accordance with the rule of law and respect for human rights,” he added.