PNP: There are lessons to be learned from journo’s wrongful arrest

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said it has learned lessons from the wrongful arrest of a Davao-based journalist who was mistaken for a member of the communist movement wanted for arson and multiple murder.

“Definitely marami po tayong natutunan na lessons dito. Ang kailangang gawin [ay] due diligence sa ating pagganap sa tungkulin,” PNP spokesperson Col. Bernard Banac said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

(Definitely we learned a lot of lessons here. We should have due diligence in fulfilling our duty.)

On Sunday morning, Margarita Valle was arrested by joint police units at the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental and was transported to the police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group’s (CIDG) regional office in Pagadian City.

Valle was released after enduring an 11-hour ordeal under police custody. Police later found out that she was not Elsa Renton, who uses the aliases Tina Maglaya and Fidelina Margarita Valle and is the subject of arrest warrants.

READ: CIDG frees journalist, admitting ‘case of mistaken identity’

Banac said the incident also showed the PNP’s lack of technological capability to verify the identities of suspects.

He said the PNP is pushing for the modernization of its equipment and to create an online database that could immediately verify the identities of persons who are subjects of arrest warrants.

Banac added that the CIDG is still investigating Valle’s wrongful arrest.

The CIDG Regional Field Unit in Zamboanga Peninsula which took custody of Valle has already apologized to the journalist.  (Editor: Mike U. Frialde)

READ: CIDG apologizes to journalist for erroneous arrest