Thread by @rapplerdotcom

DOJ Spox Markk Perete said there should be a complaint first before Sen Koko Pimentel should be investigated for potential violation of RA 11332 which punishes "non-cooperation of person identified as having the notifiable disease." | via @lianbuan

@lianbuan Perete: "For a complaint to prosper, those who have personal knowledge of the incident should file complaint." | via @lianbuan

@lianbuan Perete also rules out a warrantless arrest on Pimentel, saying that "reports have not alleged circumstances establishing the requirements for any of these grounds." | via @lianbuan

@lianbuan DOJ earlier said lockdown violators can be arrested without warrant for non cooperation under RA 11332 because caught in the act is an element of warrantless arrest. So is probable cause to believe someone just committed a crime. Perete says it doesn't satisfy the standard.

@lianbuan When pointed out that Makati Med already said Pimentel breached protocol, Perete said: "A finding of probable cause is based on established facts. Facts are established by those who have personal knowledge of the incident." | via @lianbuan

@lianbuan Sec Menardo Guevarra: As I have said before, during abnormal times like these, when people are prone to commit mistakes or violations of the law, the DOJ will temper the rigor of the law with human compassion. | via @lianbuan

@lianbuan Sec Guevarra: But this is not to say that the DOJ will not act upon the filing of a proper complaint by any interested party. | via @lianbuan

@lianbuan Sec Guevarra: The facts are unfolding by themselves. the parties directly concerned are speaking publicly about the incident. third parties (some thirsting for blood) are bringing in information from all sources into the open. | via @lianbuan

@lianbuan Sec Guevarra: Leave it to us to determine whether a motu propio investigation by the NBI would still be necessary. | via @lianbuan