House raided night before indignation rally: Cops harass Maisug spox?

CEBU, Philippines — A little over midnight on the same day of the Cebu People’s Indignation Rally against impeachment, corruption, and oppression in Mandaue City yesterday, one of the event’s convenors was served a search warrant by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in his home in Sambag 2, Cebu City.

Around midnight of Feb. 22, 2025, Jun Abines took to Facebook to alert his followers. “PNP are seizing my home and my phone,” he posted, which was shared by over 2,000 people.

A few hours later, Abines provided an update, stating that authorities had confiscated his cellphone and attempted to access its contents.

“I believe what they did was illegal for tampering with my cellphone, which is an ‘evidence’ that’s supposed to be preserved,” he wrote.

He also advised his friends to remove him from group chats to protect their private conversations from what he called “prying eyes with malicious motives.”

“I have nothing to hide from the law… But assume CIDG and PNP are spying on this account. I advise that personal messages and jokes should not be sent to me,” he said.

Yesterday afternoon, Abines went live on Facebook before heading to the rally, describing the ordeal as a four-hour search conducted by around a dozen policemen, most of whom were reportedly from Manila.

“I feel violated, I feel harassed, I feel disrespected… Wala na ni’y pag-asa nga nasud… If they will harass PRRD, if they will harass Inday Sara, kinsa man si Jun Abines?”

Using his partner’s account, he broke down in tears, clarifying that his emotions were not out of fear but frustration for his fellow Filipinos and former president Rodrigo Duterte (FPRRD), whom he described as an aging leader still fighting for the people.

“Pumasok ang at least isang dosenang pulis, mostly from Manila, with a search warrant, and I was shocked. Kasi if they are to file a case against me for cyberlibel, bakit kukunin nila ang cellphone ko if they already have the evidence?"

“Normal sa case, if you have the evidence, you have to show the court that you have an evidence and arrest me. Una yung evidence… ito baligtad. Inuna nilang kunin ang cellphone ko at PC ko, personal computer ko. They barged in the middle of the night and refused to let my lawyer witness sa ginawa ng pulis,” he added.

While Abines expressed no resentment towards the policemen involved in the operation, he blamed their superior whom he referred to as General Torre, for violating his rights.

“Namimihasa na sa pag-violate sa basic rights to silence anyone,” he said.

He also warned that should anything happen to him, Major General Torre should be considered the prime suspect.

Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) Chief Major General Nicolas Torre III addressed the issue in a public statement via a verified Facebook account.

“Dear Mr. Jun Abines, actions have consequences. Ipinakalat mo na naospital ako. Nagdulot ito ng pag-alala at pagkabalisa sa pamilya at mga kaibigan ko. Nag-apply ako ng search warrant para makuha ang mga phone at computer na ginamit mo sa katarantaduhang ginawa mo sa akin. Ngayon iiyak-iyak ka sa social media? Actions have consequences, sir,” he added.

He also emphasized the new administration’s stance. “BAGONG PILIPINAS NA PO. Wala na pong patayan pero kung salbahe ka, makukulong ka pa rin!”

During a press conference before the indignation rally, Abines further detailed how he pleaded with authorities to wait so he could call his lawyer, but they refused.

“I was abused despite my objection. They did not allow me to call my lawyer.”

Atty. Jimmy Bondoc, a singer-songwriter and senatorial candidate under former president Duterte’s slate, expressed his willingness to help.

“It would be an honor to help my friend Jun in his legal battle. Oppression is clear,” Bondoc said.

Bondoc also raised concerns over the timing of the raid, which took place in the early hours of the morning.

“A search warrant can be issued anytime, but serving it at the wee hours is very suspicious,” he added.

Bondoc was in Cebu for the Hakbang ng Maisug Indignation Rally, clarifying that he attended not as a senatorial candidate but as a supporter of the movement’s cause.(CEBU NEWS)