AFP unfazed by Tiamzon claims guns were planted

CEBU, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines-Central Command appeared unperturbed by allegation of the Tiamzon couple that the firearms reportedly recovered from them during their arrest were planted.

Centcom commander Major General John Bonafos said that suspected Communist Party of the Philippines leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon have the right to defend themselves in court.

“We live in a democratic country and if that is their desire, then let it be,” Bonafos said.

Bonafos added that it is the discretion of the court whether or not to accept the motion filed by the couple for judicial determination of probable cause and for the outright dismissal of the complaints for violation of the comprehensive firearms and ammunition and regulation act and for the illegal possession of explosives.

“I am not the prosecutor nor the judge so let us just let the law take its course,” he said.

The couple and their alleged cohorts; Nona Castillo, Jeosi Nepa, Joel Enano, Arlene Panea, and Rex Villaflor are facing criminal charges at the Regional Trial Court in Toledo City.

The suspects, through their legal counsels, are seeking for the dismissal of the case filed by the AFP and the police who allegedly subjected them to illegal arrest. They claimed that they were not doing anything illegal when the authorities arrested them in Carcar City on March 22.

Villaflor also alleged that there were no firearms or explosives listed in the inventory of evidence taken from the Hyundai Starex van they were riding or from the bags that they brought with them.

The legal counsels further asserted that the police neither introduced themselves nor read any furnished copy of the warrant of arrest for the Tiamzons.

The authorities allegedly did not also show any warrant of arrest when they apprehended the five alleged cohorts of the couple.

The suspects further alleged that there was no valid seizure of evidence in plain view.

The couple, who were reportedly hiding at a safe house in San Fernando town, was on their way to an out-of-town trip when authorities caught up with them.  (FREEMAN)