MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) refuted allegations of abduction and assassination tries against Magsasaka party-list member Lejun dela Cruz in Pasig City on Sunday.
According to PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Jean Fajardo, Dela Cruz was arrested by police officers due to an arrest warrant for murder issued by a Las Piñas City court in 1992.
The police attempted to arrest the former commander of the Alex Boncayao Brigade, which is the urban assassination unit of the communist New People’s Army, but he attempted to escape, said Fajardo.
The chase ended in Pasig City.
“Walang katotohanan ang assassination attempt against the life of Mr. dela Cruz,” Fajardo said in a press conference conducted at Camp Crame. “On the contrary, siya pa po ang nanutok at siya pa ang nanagasa.”
“Ang pulis natin na sinasagaan, naka-confine (in the hospital). May fracture siya sa pelvis dahil siya ay binangga ng accused po,” she stressed.
Dela Cruz’s camp claimed on Monday that he was forced to flee after the police officers, who were not in proper uniform, tried to accost him and even fired shots at him.
“Remember this is a service of warrant. If our personnel are in uniform, the operation can be botched. What’s important ay noong siya ay inaresto, nagpakilala ‘yung ating mga pulis at meron din mga backup na naka-uniporme ‘yan,” Fajardo said.
Dela Cruz is now under the custody of the Eastern Police District in a detention facility in Marikina City./PN
