62-year-old muslim jailed over mistaken identity now free — Padilla

Sen. Robin Padilla —SENATE PRIB

MANILA, Philippines — Elderly muslim Mohammad Maca-Antal Said, who was jailed over a case of mistaken identity, has been freed, Senator Robinhood Padilla disclosed on Wednesday evening.

The 62-year-old was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on August 10, 2023 because he happened to have the same name as Mohammad Said, otherwise known as Ama Maas, who was linked to heinous crimes.

In a short manifestation during the Senate’s plenary session, Padilla said after a long wait, the elderly muslim is finally free. To recall, it was also Padilla who initially raised Said’s plight in the upper chamber.

“Matapos po ang mahabang paghihintay at pagtitiis, si Tatay Said po ay nakalaya na. Ginoong Pangulo, dahil po sa ipinakitang pagmamahal ng Senado at ipinaglaban ng Senado na makalaya si Tatay, ngayon po mahal na Ginoong Pangulo, nandito si Tatay nakalabas na po siya. Maraming maraming salamat po.

(After a long wait, Tatay Said has been released. Mr. President, because of the love shown by the Senate and because the Senate fought for his release, now, dear Mr. President, Tatay Said is here, he has been released.)

“Ito ay tagumpay sapagkat dito pinakita ang boses ng Senado. Pag nag-ingay at ipinaglaban ng Senado talagang merong demokrasyang mararamdaman ang ating kababayan,” he emphasized.

(This is a victory because the voice of the Senate was shown here. When the Senate makes noise and fights, our countrymen can really feel the democracy.)

Padilla, however, stressed that the Senate’s battle against mistaken identity cases is not yet over as another individual with the same name as Ama Maas  sought his office’s help.

“Ngayon po mahal na Ginoong Pangulo, hindi pa natapos ang kwento sapagkat patuloy po ang pagiging biktima ng pangalang Ama Maas, sapagka’t matapos natin mapagtagumpay si Tatay Said, may isang kapangalan pa muli,” Padilla explained.

(Now, dear Mr. President, the story is not over because Ama Maas’ name continues to be a pain, because after we solved Tatay Said’s case, another individual has reached out to us to ask for help.)

For Padilla, this is “not reasonable, fair, and humane,” adding that mistaken identity cases are no longer acceptable, especially at a time when technology and innovation have become more advanced.

Following this, Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva motioned to make Padilla’s manifestation as a privilege speech. No objection was raised and the latter’s speech was later on referred to the committee on rules.