Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde reiterated Sunday that National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultant Vicente Ladlad was arrested for illegal possession of firearms.
READ: PNP confirms arrest of NDFP consultant Vic Ladlad听
鈥淲e reiterate that the arrest of Communist Party of the Philippines Central Committee Member and Head of its National United Front Commission Vicente Ladlad is for violation of Republic Act 10591, or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms and Ammunition,鈥� Albayalde said in a statement.
鈥淭he confiscation of high-powered firearms and explosives in the possession of Ladlad and two others is a result of a lawful search made by the police witnessed and certified by officials of the Homeowners Association,鈥� he added.
Earlier, Bayan Muna denounced the 鈥渦njust鈥� arrest of the NDFP peace consultant, saying that state forces have 鈥減lanted鈥� pieces of evidence to pin down Ladlad.
READ: Bayan Muna slams 鈥榰njust鈥� arrest of NDFP consultant
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Albayalde said he understood the 鈥渄eep concern鈥� of Ladlad鈥檚 wife, Fides Lim, on the 鈥渨ellbeing of her husband鈥� and said that as a Christian, he is 鈥渋nclined to graciously accept her apology.鈥�
This came after Lim apologized to Albayalde after she learned that the PNP chief may file a case against her for allegedly 鈥渙bstructing the legal flow of police procedures.鈥�
READ: PNP eyes raps vs Vic Ladlad鈥檚 wife for obstructing police procedures
Lim had boldly demanded from the police to allow her to see her husband as he went through police procedures at Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City last Thursday.
鈥淚 understand her deep concern for the wellbeing of her husband and as a Christian I am inclined to graciously accept her apology,鈥� Albayalde said.
Nevertheless, the police chief said that the 鈥渧iolation of laws has its consequences.鈥�
鈥淗owever, I must reiterate we are a nation of laws, not of men. And violation of laws has its consequences,鈥� he said.
Moreover, Albaylde urged all parties concerned to 鈥渟eek redress in the proper forum鈥� as it is a 鈥渞ight all citizens enjoy under our Constitution.鈥�
鈥淎nd now, as always, we reiterate our mandate to serve and protect every Filipino, regardless of their political beliefs,鈥� he added.
The PNP chief also assured the public that the police is 鈥渃onscientious in observing our mandate to serve and protect, as well as to uphold human rights and dignity of the accused.鈥�
鈥淔or our country to achieve lasting peace, progress, and prosperity, we all need to work together. We once again call on the public to observe the rule the law in our everyday lives,鈥� Albayalde added. /ee