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Rights defenders score another victory against ‘copy-paste’ search warrants
By RONALYN V. OLEA
MANILA – For the third time, another local court invalidated the search warrants used to arrest human rights defenders.
In a decision dated Feb. 18, Judge Ana Celeste P. Bernad of Bacolod City Regional Trial Court Branch 42 granted the motions to quash search warrants and suppress evidence filed by Karina Mae De La Cerna, Cherryl Catalogo, and John Milton Lozande.
The accused were all arrested in Bacolod City on October 31, 2019 by virtue of search warrants issued by Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert of RTC Quezon City. They were charged with illegal possession of firearms and explosives.
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Department of National Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana
(MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said that the DND gives its “full support” to Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert, of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court, in the face of the Makabayan bloc’s allegations that she had issued “irregular” warrants against red-tagged activists and progressive groups.
“We firmly believe that a judge of the Honorable Villavert’s caliber does not issue warrants without probable cause,” he said.
Last Tuesday, the Makabayan bloc filed House Resolution 1427 which urged the House Justice Committee to conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, on the warrants issued by Judge Burgos-Villavert against various activists.