Republic of the Philippines

REGIONAL TRIAL COURT

Region III
Branch 16, City of San Fernando
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES,
Plaintiff,
- versus -

Criminal Case No. 00045

For: Libel

DONG ZHUO,
Accused.
x ---------------------------------------------- x
MOTION TO SUPPRESS EVIDENCE UNLAWFULLY SEIZED AND RETURN OF PROPERTY
SEIZED
The ACCUSED, by counsel, respectfully moves for the suppression of objects seized on 23 July
2012, pursuant to Search Warrant No. 6699 issued by this Honorable Court dated 12 July 2012, based on
the following considerations:
1. Search Warrant No. 6699 was served on the 11th day and is, thus, void.
2. The motor vehicle seized does not fall within the property that may lawfully be seized.
Discussion
[1] Search Warrant No. 1122 was
served on the 11th day and is, thus,
void.
1. Rule 126, Sec. 10 of the Revised Rules of Court provides expressly that a search warrant shall
be valid for ten (10) days from its date and that thereafter, it shall be void.
2. Search Warrant No. 1122 is dated 12 July 2012. It was served on the accused on 23 July
2012, the 11th day from its date; this is certified to by the Sworn Inventory and Return executed by Major
Liu Bei, the leader of the searching team (a copy of which is already part of the records). A search was
made on the same day, 23 July 2012; pursuant to said search, certain objects were seized and delivered to
the court. Under the law, the Search Warrant is void.
3. No valid seizure may be made under a void warrant. For this reason, the following objects
must be suppressed:
i.
Company Books and Ledgers
ii.
12 Military-grade M-16 Assault Rifles with 12 Bullet Cartridges
iii.
Two (2) Glock-16 Handguns with Two (2) Bullet Cartridges
iv.
Three (3) Military-grade Fragmentation grenades
[2] The motor vehicle seized does
not fall within the property that
may lawfully be seized.

4. On the occasion of the search, the searching party also seized accuseds green Jaguar XJE
with license plate, No. 1", allegedly for being subject of the offense. Thereafter, it was impounded and
kept at the PNP Motor Pool.
5. The motor vehicle cannot be subject of the offense as accused is charged with libel. There is
no relation between the motor vehicle and libel.
6. Moreover, the motor vehicle is not mala prohibita that would justify a seizure thereof; neither
could there be a seizure of evidence in plain view.
WHEREFORE, it is respectfully prayed that all objects seized under the void Search Warrant No.
6699 be declared INADMISSIBLE under the exclusionary rule in Article III, section 3(2) in relation to
Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution. Furthermore, it is prayed that the White Nissan Patrol Safari Edition
with license plate LOL 999" be immediately returned to the accused.
City of San Fernando; 25 July 2012.
(Sgd.) Atty. Rommelito Francisco E. Macarayo
Counsel for Accused
13-69 Barracks Building, Marikina
IBP NO. 87123-7/19/12-AC
PTR NO. 669913/21/12-AC
Roll No. 99998
MCLE Exempt
(Admitted to the bar: April 6, 2012)

NOTICE OF HEARING
Atty. Ezekiel Razon
Counsel for the Plaintiff
12-26 Marina Arcade, Mabalacat City
Greetings: Please take notice that the foregoing Motion to Suppress Evidence and Return of
Property Seized shall be submitted for the consideration and approval of the Honorable Court on
Thursday, July 25, at 10 AM or as soon as counsel and matter may be heard.

Atty. Rommelito Francisco E. Macarayo

EXPLANATION
The foregoing Motion to Suppress Evidence and Return of Property Seized is being filed with this
Honorable Court and served on the opposing counsel by registered mail in view of the impracticability of
personal filing and service due to distance considering that the office of this Honorable Court is at the
City of San Fernando and that of the opposing counsel is at Mabalacat City, while undersigned counsel
holds office in Marikina.

Atty. Rommelito Francisco E. Macarayo

COPY FURNISHED:

Atty. Ezekiel Razon

Counsel for the Plaintiff
12-26 Marina Arcade, Mabalacat City