The legal team of Cebu artist Maria Victoria “Bambi” Beltran said they would countersue Mayor Edgar Labella for allegedly violating her rights when she was arrested on Sunday, April 19.



“The mayor, who is the accuser, talked to Ms Beltran while Ms Beltran was inside police station,” lawyer Amando Virgil Ligutan, a member of Beltran’s legal team, told ANC in an interview on Tuesday, April 21. The rights of the accused are protected under Republic Act 7438, or the custodial investigation law.



“Ms. Beltran's lawyer was not allowed to enter because of the presence of the mayor,” Ligutan added. He said this was a violation of Beltran's rights, who was without legal representation for more than 15 hours after her arrest.



Beltran was arrested without a warrant at 12:30 am Sunday, April 19, at her bar and café, where she also lived. (READ: #FreeBambi: Artists call for release of Cebu film writer, actor Bambi Beltran)