ROBIN SEEKS JUSTICE FOR VICTIM OF MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Sen. Robinhood Padilla cries justice for Mohammad Maca-Antal Said, a victim of mistaken identity. During Tuesday’s plenary session on September 5, 2023, Padilla criticized the lack of a harmonized, integrated, and interconnected system of information sharing among law enforcement agencies that led to Tatay Mohammad’s situation. (Bibo Nueva España/Senate PRIB)
MANILA, Philippines — Another mistaken identity case, this time involving a 62-year-old man, has reached the Senate.
The case of Mohammad Maca-Antal Said, who was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on August 10, was raised by Senator Robinhood Padilla in a privilege speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday.
“Ito po mahal na Ginoong Pangulo ay nilalapit ko sa ating lupon para mabigyan po ng hustisya ang matandang Muslim na ito na taga Lanao na sa mga oras na ito Ginoong Pangulo ay naghihimas ng rehas. Nakakulong pa rin po siya,” said Padilla.
(Mr. President, I am bringing this to your attention so we can give justice to this elderly Muslim who up to now remains behind bars.)
According to Padilla, Mohammad was nabbed at the Naia Terminal 3 because he happened to have the same name as Mohammad Said, otherwise known as Ama Maas, who was linked to heinous crimes.
Padilla then disclosed that Ama Maas died in 2016 during a military operation in Sulu, making the elderly’s arrest even more questionable.
“Paanong mapipiit sa bilangguan ang isang indibidwal na may National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) clearance na No Derogatory Record, malayang nakalabas-pasok sa bansa ng ilang ulit, wala sa Pilipinas sa panahong sinasabing nangyari ang mga krimen, at higit sa lahat, malayong hindi tumutugma sa itsura ng akusado na ayon po sa mga balita ay pitong taon ng naulat na patay? Dahil lamang po kapangalan niya yung Mohammad Said,” Padilla stressed.
(How can you detain someone with an NBI clearance and without a derogatory record, who left and returned to the country several times, does not look like the man accused of several crimes and has been reported dead? Just because he had the same name as Mohammad Said.)
Padilla asked whether the country has the technology and infrastructure for a “harmonized, integrated, and interconnected” information-sharing system among agencies.
“We must take a look at our law enforcement agencies’ systems and policies in accurately sharing critical information in catching criminals,” said Padilla in Filipino.
Padilla’s speech was later referred to the Senate committee on justice and human rights headed by Senator Francis Tolentino.
The Senate had tackled and moved to investigate a case of mistaken identity before.
In August 2023 alone, lawmakers investigated the unjust killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar, who died at the hands of the Philippine National Police after they mistook the teen for a murder suspect.