Authorities may conduct a warrantless arrest, but only on the following grounds:
- When the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting to commit an offense in the presence of an arresting officer;
- When an offense has just been committed and the arresting officer has probable cause (based on personal knowledge of facts and circumstance) to believe that the person to be arrested has committed a crime; and
- When the person has escaped prison/detention, or escaped while being transferred to another facility.
If you're arrested without a warrant, you can only be detained for:
- 12 hours, for light offenses, which are punishable by light penalties;
- 18 hours, for less grave offenses, punishable by correctional penalties; and
- 36 hours, for grave offenses, punishable by capital penalties.
As a general rule, inquest proceedings – where a civilian prosecutor determines the legality of an arrest – are included in these time periods. Published 9:34 AM, May 26, 2017. Updated 10:25 AM, May 26, 2017. www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/170936-rights-arrested-detained-persons.
