Dear PAO,
I sought the help of the police for investigation after my house was robbed at night. They told me the following day that a suspect was apprehended, so I immediately went to the police station. I recognized the suspect, and he is known as "Boy Astig" in our community. When the latter saw me and without me saying anything, Boy Astig told me that he is regretful of his actions and claimed that he sold the items taken from my house to a certain "Doray." The admission was heard by the desk officer who made a follow-up investigation leading to the confirmation of Doray that it was Boy Astig who sold the stolen items to her. Boy Astig is now claiming during the pendency of the case against him that his admission is uncounseled, so it cannot be admitted in court. Is he correct?
Aldrint
Dear Aldrint,
The general rule is uncounseled admission during custodial investigation is inadmissible. This is in consonance with Section 12, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution which provides:
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