Laarni asks court to stop PNP filing of criminal raps

A lawyer has filed a petition before the Quezon City regional trial court to prevent the Philippine National Police (PNP) from filing any criminal case against former actress Laarni Enriquez and opposition personalities over the wiretap controversy.

In a 24-page petition for prohibition, Jaime Flores expressed his concern that the constitutional rights of his clients would be violated by the PNP once they are made to answer charges against them by still unknown parties.

Flores claimed the PNP-Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) had already sent subpoenas against Enriquez and other opposition personalities which include actor Rez Cortez, former agrarian reform secretary Horacio Morales, Angelito Santiago, and Wilson Fenix.

He said the CIDG had already implicated his clients in kidnapping, illegal detention and inciting to sedition.

"Our clients were required to appear before the CIDG and show cause why they should not be charged with the crime of illegal detention and inciting to sedition," Flores pointed out.

Flores said the police investigators at the CIDG had refused to furnish them copies of sworn statements and the evidence against his clients.

Flores argued his clients cannot present their side since they have no idea about the accusations against them.

"We are now seeking to enjoin to stop to prohibit the PNP in filing any charges against our client unless and until our clients are properly appraised of the charges against them which are available to any person and accused under investigation for criminal offense," he said.

Flores said he filed the petition to seek an end to the practice of capricious issuance of subpoenas by some law enforcement officials. — Perseus Echeminada