Iginiit ng Philippine National Police (PNP) na lehitimo ang ikinasang operasyon sa Calabarzon kung saan siyam na aktibista ang nasawi.
Sa inilabas na pahayag, sinabi ng pambansang pulisya na nag-ugat ang operasyon sa search warrants ng iba’t ibang korte.
“The PNP Calabarzon applied for search warrants from the different courts pursuant to the law and in strict compliance with standard legal procedures,” pahayag ng PNP.
Dagdag pa nito, “It was based on verified facts and not on mere membership or affiliation with any organization.”
Sinabi ng pulisya na suportado ang mga kasong illegal possession of firearms and explosives ng mga ebidensya na nagsilbing basehan sa inilabas na search warrants.
“Our police operatives were briefed to exert all possible means to peacefully serve the search warrants. They are however, trained to defend themselves against any unlawful aggression,” saad ng PNP.
Tinawag na “baseless” at “unfounded” ng pulisya ang mga alegasyong walang nanlaban at mayroong “planted evidence” sa operasyon.
“These only serve to undermine the wisdom of the courts and the legitimacy of police operations,” ayon sa PNP.
Gayunman, magsasagawa ang PNP-IAS ng motu propio investigation sa isinagawang police operations.