MANILA, Philippines – Nobody in their right mind would arrest someone without a court-issued warrant.

This was emphasized by Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde in his Camp Crame press conference on Monday, September 10.

He was asked about rumors that there were police operatives who had wanted to move forward with just President Rodrigo Duterte’s Proclamation No. 572 revoking the amnesty of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV to execute an arrest.

“Nobody would probably dare to arrest Senator Trillanes without any basis. I don’t think kahit sino siguro (anybody), not even a senior police officer in his rightful mind, would arrest anybody without a warrant of arrest and without probably authority from the court,” Albayalde told reporters.

Why does this matter? Albayalde’s comment shows that the PNP recognizes that a presidential order, like Duterte’s proclamation against Trillanes, cannot be used as the sole basis to arrest anybody – at least not yet.

The validity of Duterte’s proclamation is up for discussion before the Supreme Court (SC), as pointed out by police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) chief Director Roel Obusan.

Obusan admitted that they had tried to arrest Trillanes, but they recognized that Senate President Vicente Sotto III would not allow it. The PNP CIDG eventually put on hold any arrest, Obusan said, after Duterte announced that he would defer action on Trillanes to the SC.

CIDG operatives, however, remain in the Senate compound. According to Albayalde and Obusan, they ordered CIDG operatives to stay for “peace, security, and support.” – Rappler.com

Follow the developments here:

• IBP hits DOJ for ‘mischief’ in Trillanes case
• Without saying why, Calida called Lorenzana for Trillanes’ amnesty records
• Duterte did not consult Lorenzana on Trillanes’ amnesty
• Why send CIDG to Senate? ‘We were being proactive,’ says PNP
• Trillanes eyes probe into multibillion projects ‘awarded’ to Bong Go’s family
• Trillanes will not leave Senate anytime soon: ‘I won’t fall into Duterte trap’
• Other amnesty certificates signed by Gazmin may be questioned – Roque
• Still no warrant, as judge tells DOJ to give Trillanes due process
• Calida asked for amnesty records of ‘100’ other ex-mutineers
• DOJ hands off on other Trillanes cases for now
• How can rebel groups trust gov’t negotiations again? – Alejano

Summaries: 

• [WRAP | Day 1] Duterte voiding Trillanes’ amnesty: Everything you need to know
• [WRAP | Day 2] Trillanes gets relief from court, DOJ seeks options
• [WRAP | Day 3] Looming Trillanes arrest jolts PH from sleep
• [WRAP | Day 4] Trillanes stays in Senate, Duterte changes tune on warrantless arrest
• [WRAP | Day 5] Family stands by Trillanes as Duterte slams senator
• [WRAP | Day 6] AFP chief Galvez, Honasan push for rule of law in Trillanes case