PP v.

BONGCARAWAN

FACTS: The accused was on board a ship. On the same ship, a woman who noticed her jewelry was
missing suspected the accused of stealing the same. 5 members of the crew looked for and
subsequently found the accused.

Prosecution: With the consent of the accused, the crew members searched his suitcase and found a
brown bag and small plastic packs containing white crystalline substance (suspected shabu). They
immediately informed the Coast Guard regarding the packets which were later confirmed to be shabu.

Accused: The crew forcibly opened and searched the suitcase thereby violating right against
unreasonable search and seizure. This, he claims, renders the evidence inadmissible.

The accused was charged with a violation of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972

RULING: The right against unreasonable search and seizure may was does not apply because in this
case, the search and seizure were conducted by the crew and without government intervention.