THE Philippine National Police (PNP) violated Paulene Canada’s Miranda rights by not allowing her to speak with her lawyer after she was arrested on the afternoon of July 11, 2024, and flown to Camp Crame.
Several hours passed before Canada was able to speak with KOJC legal counsel Atty. Israelito Torreon, despite numerous attempts by the lawyer to contact Police Regional Office 11 Brigadier General Nicholas Torre.
Torre insisted that he did not receive any texts or calls from Atty. Torreon.
However, the lawyer maintained, that text messages and call logs do not lie.
“So, you know, text messages do not lie. Call logs do not lie.”
“So, this only goes to show really that Gen. Torre is trying to hide the fact that we tried to give assistance to our client but he refused it, he ignored it,” Atty. Israelito Torreon, KOJC Legal Counsel said.
According to Torreon, anyone who violates Republic Act 7438 may face imprisonment for eight to ten years and may be subject to absolute perpetual disqualification or may never hold any government position
“There is really a violation. As a matter of fact, it is a stark violation because Gen. Torre is a general,” he added.
Paulene Canada’s arresters could face robbery charges—KOJC legal counsel
However, KOJC legal counsel discovered that the violations of those who arrested Canada did not end there.
Illegal confiscation of several items from Canada’s home, such as a desktop computer, tablet, automatic BP monitor, smartwatch, ear pods, and chargers, was captured on CCTV despite the absence of a search warrant.
According to KOJC legal counsel Atty. Eunice Ambrocio, the actions of the arresting officers clearly violated the rules regarding the service of a warrant of arrest.
“What are these items? Are these illegal items per se? Aren’t these desktop computers, tablet? So, are these illegal? Are these even dangerous or does it harm into the person of the police officers for them to confiscate these items? It doesn’t, right? Therefore, what is stated in Rule 126 is that ‘you can confiscate items if these are the subject of the offense, these are fruits of the offense and these are used as means of committing the offense,” Atty. Eunice Ambrocio, Legal Counsel, KOJC stated.
Several days passed before the confiscated items were returned.
Atty. Adam Jambangan stated – there was no legal basis for the arresting officers to confiscate the said items since first of all, they do not belong to Canada.
Therefore, the KOJC legal counsel emphasized that those who arrested Canada could possibly be charged with robbery.
“Even probe supposes that there is a search warrant, but there was no search warrant. I do believe that there may be grounds to file a case for robbery. Because it came with force upon things eh. So, the fact that they returned it, would perhaps alleviate any civil liability that may be imposed. But the crime was already committed and the administrative liability already attached,” Atty. Torreon added.
“Meaning to say, it is illegal. And in fact, if we are talking about criminality, it is possible that they may be prosecuted for robbery or qualified theft. And administratively speaking, they could also be liable under the graft and corrupt practices act,” Atty. Adam Jambangan, KOJC Legal Counsel stated.
“We would like to thank the police for giving us evidence to file cases against them for robbery. We thank you very much,” Atty. Dinah Tolentino, KOJC Legal Counsel said.
Generals trying to persuade Paulene Canada to testify against Pastor ACQ
Meanwhile, it has been learned that several generals are persuading Canada to become a state witness against Pastor Apollo.
“When I was there earlier, Ma’am Paulene had a revelation. There are generals visiting her, and one general who visited her even said he didn’t sign in the logbook, just went straight, and said, “Oh, look at what’s happening to you now. You were the only one arrested. Maybe you should get a lawyer and you might get convicted if you don’t have your own lawyer.” Ma’am Paulene responded, “We are supported by the ministry, by the lawyer.” “Oh no, not for you to be freed.” The idea is, it seems like she is being convinced to become a state witness,” Torreon added.
Canada emphasized – what would she say against Pastor Apollo especially since she knows the esteemed pastor did nothing wrong!?
“So, she told the general, “Sir, whatever you say to me, I will not turn my back on the ministry because I, I’ve been out of the ministry for a long time but I haven’t left, I was about to go back, but I won’t do that to testify against the Kingdom leaders,” Torreon concluded.
