Mandaluyong court junks gun possession raps vs. Lady Ann Salem, co-accused

The Mandaluyong Regional Trial Court has dismissed the illegal possession of firearms and explosives charges filed against journalist Lady Ann Salem and her co-accused Rodrigo Esparago.

Manila Today editor Salem and Esparago were among those arrested in a series of raids which reportedly yielded loose firearms on December 10.

In a ten-page ruling, Judge Monique Quisumbing-Ignacio ruled that there was no probable cause to issue the search warrants on Salem and Esparago's residence.

Records showed that the testimonies of witnesses who alleged the erstwhile accused's crime were full of inconsistencies and contradictions.

"All told, there being numerous inconsistencies and contradictions, the testimonies of the foregoing witnesses cannot be given full faith and credence," Quisumbing said.

"Considering that the search warrants were issued in violation of the Constitution and Rules of Court, all the items seized in Esparago and Salem's condominium unit/premises, are inadmissible in evidence, being fruits of the poisonous tree," she added.

"Consequently, the instant cases have no leg to stand on," Quisumbing said.

Salem and Esparago were arrested with other individuals in police operations simultaneously carried out against "loose firearms and criminal gangs."

Authorities said they confiscated four caliber .45 pistols, four grenades, four caliber .45 magazines, and 29 rounds of caliber .45 ammunition, among other items from the residence of Salem and Esparago.

The National Union of People's Lawyers said the decision should be a model for courts dealing with supposedly "contrived narratives."

"It was a most pleasant yet well-deserved surprise that the false raps against journalist Lady Ann Salem and labor organizer Rodrigo Esparago were tossed out by the trial court," NUPL president Edre Olalia said.

"We commend the trial court judge for her admirable independence and fortitude. The decision is an inimitable template our courts can emulate and the law enforcers should heed," he added.

"Heads must roll if we are to stop these serial contrived narratives and brazen weaponization of the law to persecute. The immediate logical consequence of this ruling is to make Icy and Rod walk," Olalia said. -NB, GMA News