Bill seeks more compensation for victims of arrest by mistaken identity

MANILA, Philippines — A bill seeking higher compensation for victims of unjust arrest due to mistaken identity was filed in the Senate on Wednesday. 

Senator Robin Padilla, who field the bill, emphasized that compensation is the least that the government can do to cover the financial burden caused by “unjust imprisonment or detention.”

Under proposed Senate Bill (SB) No. 2547, Padilla recommended that victims of unjust arrest receive compensation based on the number of his or her detention.

“In no case shall such compensation be less than P10,000 per month,” he said.

“In all other cases, the maximum amount for which the board may approve a claim shall not exceed P50,000 or the amount necessary to reimburse the claimant the expenses incurred for hospitalization, medical treatment, loss of wage, loss of support or other expenses directly related to the injury, whichever is higher,” he added.

Padilla likewise proposed that the annual funding for this shall partly come from 3 percent of the net income of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation and 3 percent of the proceeds and sale and other disposition of military camps in Metro Manila by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority.

Padilla filed SBN 2547 following the release of 62-year-old Mohammad Maca-Antal Said who was arrested at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 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.

But while the elderly has since been freed, Padilla noted that the Senate’s battle against mistaken identity cases is not yet over as another individual with the same name as Said sought his office’s help.