The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said the arrest of controversial contractor Pacifico “Curlee” Discaya at the Senate was carried out legally, orderly, and with proper coordination with the upper chamber.
PNP Chief Police General Jose Melencio C. Nartatez Jr. said police personnel coordinated with Senate officials before implementing the arrest warrant issued by a Bulacan court in connection with an allegedly anomalous flood control project.
Discaya had been under Senate custody after he was cited in contempt during a flood control hearing, making coordination with the institution necessary before he could be turned over to law enforcement authorities.
Nartatez said a sufficient number of police officers were deployed to ensure the smooth and peaceful implementation of the court order.
“The arrest warrant was implemented in accordance with the law and established procedures in close coordination with the Senate to ensure an orderly, lawful, and transparent turnover process,” Nartatez said.
He also assured the public that Discaya would not be given any special treatment while under police custody.
“There will be no special treatment. All persons subject to lawful arrest will be accorded the same standards of professionalism and due process,” he added.
The warrant stemmed from a case filed last week by the Office of the Ombudsman for violation of Article 217 of the Revised Penal Code, or malversation of public funds or property, through falsification of public documents under Articles 171(4) and 48.
The case is linked to an allegedly anomalous flood control project in Bulacan.
On Friday, the Bulacan Regional Trial Court Branch 20 ordered the arrest of Discaya, his wife, and nine other accused. Some of those covered by the warrant, including Discaya’s wife and three others, are already detained in separate facilities over other cases.
Nartatez said police operations are continuing for the other accused who are not yet under custody. The case is non-bailable.
“We want the public to be assured that the PNP remains committed to the principle that no one is above the law and no one is below the protection of the law,” Nartatez said.
“Our role is not to determine guilt or innocence but to ensure the lawful implementation of court orders and support the administration of justice,” he added.