Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 10) — Anakpawis Party-list said at least 12 of its volunteers who were campaigning for Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan in Cavite were arrested on Thursday.
Anakpawis Party-list Cavite chairperson Aries Soledad said the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Bacoor conducted a raid wherein they cuffed and pinned down ten volunteers to be submitted to a drug test. Two others were arrested in Silang, Soledad added.
The group also claimed police harmed the volunteers.
“Inaresto sila at pinosasan sila na wala lamang warrant of arrest,” Soledad said.
[Translation: They were arrested and cuffed even without a warrant.]
Police staff sergeant Bryan dela Peña from PNP Bacoor confirmed to CNN Philippines that seven people were arrested in a buy-bust operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Brgy. Bagong Silangan, Talaba 7.
Police did not say if the arrested individuals were from Anakpawis, but it was in the same address where the party-list group said the raid took place.
CNN Philippines is reaching out to PDEA in Cavite for more details.
Anakpawis said the arrests took place after Cavite Rep. Boying Remulla accused those attending Robredo’s campaign rallies of being paid communist rebels. Sen. Ping Lacson also expressed concern over the allegation.
In response, Robredo’s team in Cavite denied that supporters were paid to attend the events. It also accused the politicians of red-tagging.
