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Friday, March 29, 2024

Trader in viral video to file case vs cops

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Lawyers of the controversial Makati City businessman, who was featured in a viral video showing him and his wife beating a traffic enforcer, is set to file a complaint against policemen who raided his residence Friday morning.

Armed with search warrants issued by the Makati City Regional Trial Court, elements of the National Capital Region Police Office raided the residence of Arnold Padilla, and seized firearms, hand grenades and several ammunitions.

The authorities also arrested the 41-year-old Padilla and his bodyguard Alfie Ortiz, 33, following the raid at Padilla’s house with addresses at lot numbers 18 and 23 along San Antonio Street in Magallanes Village around 7 am.

Padilla’s legal counsel Raymond Fortun said the family of his client denies ownership and possession of two grenades found by the raiding policemen.

Fortun said security camera video installed at the house showed two police officers entered the kitchen before the actual search operation happened and without the presence of reporters, community officials and any member of the family.

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“It is not surprising that the grenades were found shortly after the unlawful intrusion by the police personnel,” Fortun said.

“The family will seek all legal remedies to protect their rights, including the filing of appropriate criminal and administrative charges against the erring policemen and those who gave instructions to them to ‘plant’ incriminating evidence against Arnold Padilla,” the lawyer added.

The confiscated items from Padilla’s residence include one .45-cal Glock 21, a 12-Gauge shotgun, two MK2 hand grenades and various live gun ammunitions and magazines.

Padilla said the seized firearms have proper documents but he insisted that the grenades were planted by the policemen.

Padilla and Ortiz were brought to the NCRPO headquarters in Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City. But the businessman was later rushed to St. Lukes Hospital for medical attention after complaining he was ill.

The businessman is facing violation of Republic Act 10591 (Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulations Act of 2013).

Padilla and his partner were caught on closed-circuit television camera showing them verbally and physically abusing a traffic enforcer who flagged them down over an alleged traffic violation at the corner of Gate 1 of Magallanes Village and Epifanio de los Santos Avenue on Aug. 13.

NCRPO chief Guillermo Eleazar said his men sought for the issuance of a search warrant against Padilla not because of the video that gone viral on social media, but because of the revocation of Padilla’s license to possess firearms.

In a press statement sent to members of the media by Senior Insp. Myrna Diploma, NCRPO public information office chief, she said the police operation “was done in an orderly and legal manner and in the presence of Arnold Aquino Padilla, Glocel Padilla, Alfie Bautista Ortiz and witnessed by Kagawad Jorge Reyes of Barangay Magallanes,

Security Officer Lino Ibabao, Jerome Lantin of ABS-CBN, Jen Calimon of TV-5 and Emil Sumangil of GMA-7.”

“Original copy of Search Warrant No. 18-083 was received by Atty. Virgilio Batalla, counsel of Mr. Arnold Aquino Padilla, prior to its implementation and eventual search of the premises. Atty. Raymond Fortun was also present during the implementation of the writ,” said Diploma.

“Prior to the arrest, respondents were informed of the nature of their offenses, the content of the Search Warrant, and apprised them of their constitutional rights but they opted to remain silent,” she added.

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