Azurin: No violation of UP-DILG accord

MANILA, Philippines — There was no breach of the 1992 agreement between the University of the Philippines and Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the arrest of UP professor Melania Flores, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin said he does not believe that the accord between UP and the DILG, which prohibits the entry of police without prior notice inside UP campuses, was violated.

“I think it is clear that it is about the observance of academic freedom and the manner of entering UP campuses. But in this case, police implemented a standing warrant of arrest,” Azurin told reporters.

“There were no provisions in the agreement that you cannot serve a warrant of arrest in a specific area. You can serve the warrant of arrest wherever you see the suspect,” he added.

Azurin said the Miranda Doctrine was even read by police when Flores was arrested.

“So I do not see any violation about the serving of a warrant of arrest. The police merely enforced a court order,” he said.

Flores was nabbed last week for allegedly violating the Social Security System law.