Cebu City police chief says cops have no bad intention for starting ‘arestoaguinaldo’

Cebu City Police chief Police Colonel Josefino Ligan on Thursday said city police officers had no bad intention when they started the holiday prank dubbed as “arestoaguinaldo.”

According to Mariz Umali’s report on “24 Oras,” Cebu City cops have been fake arresting citizens but in reality, will just give them Christmas gifts.

The police would issue warrants of arrest to some citizens but later on, they would be brought to the police vehicle only to find out that they will be given gifts.

“Just to have an element of surprise. With the purest intention to give other people a joyful and delightful Christmas. ‘Yon po talaga ang nasa isip namin. It’s not about na ‘yong takutin ‘yong tao,” Ligan said.

Ligan also said the prank was only a one-time project.

Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Debold Sinas said gimmicks of police officers that could cause anxiety to the general public must be stopped.

Sinas said the gimmick is not part of his directive to police officers.

Several netizens have also criticized the said prank on social media.

Meanwhile, the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said serving an arrest warrant is a “law enforcement process that must be carried out within the rigors of due process and in the name of rule of law.”

“Such process should not be trifled with nor diminished into a prank for such prank may also cause distress and humiliation to target individuals. Such prank may also heighten the worry of individuals who may have developed mistrust toward law enforcers,” CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline de Guia said. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/BAP, GMA News