Makabayan Bloc has filed a resolution that seeks to probe the warrantless arrest of filmmaker Jade Castro and his three companions for allegedly burning a modern jeepney in Mulanay, Quezon.
ACT Teachers Representative France Castro, Gabriela party-list Rep. Arlene Brosas, and Kabataan party-list Rep. Raoul Manuel filed House Resolution 1596 before the House of Representatives on Monday.
The filed resolution aims to direct the committee on public order and safety to assess a thorough investigation on the case, explaining that “no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws,” according to the law.
They added, “Article III, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution’s protection of persons against unreasonable searches and seizures is inviolable, and warrants of arrest shall be issued only upon probable cause; there are only three instances in which warrantless arrests are valid: in flagrante delicto arrest, hot pursuit arrest, and re-arrest of an escaped prisoner.”
In the previous reports, authorities mentioned that Castro and three others were identified as those who stopped the modern jeepney, set it on fire, and escaped from the crime scene.
On February 1, the filmmaker and his three other companions were arrested and taken into custody in Mulanay.
However, local officials claimed that they were with Castro and his friends during the incident, making it impossible for them to be at the place where the incident happened.
Moreover, CCTV footage showed that the filmmaker and his companions were going around the town at the same time when the arson happened.
Meanwhile, Erik Matti described the accusations as bizarre, as there are inconsistencies being pointed out in the case.
