The Philippine National Police said a newly signed law giving its chief the power to issue subpoenas would add more teeth in fighting crime, but concerned lawmakers and a prominent human rights lawyer worried that more than criminals could suffer from its bite. PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. John Bulalacao said the police would closely guard against abuses of the subpoena power, which was also given to the chief of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) and his deputy. Human rights champion and former Sen. Rene Saguisag asked how the new law would affect Republic Act No. 7438, which defines the rights of persons arrested, detained or under custodial investigation as well as the duties of the arresting, investigating and custodial authorities.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 10, 2018 23:03 UTC