Albayalde orders probe into arrest of Davao columnist

“’Yung pag-aresto talagang hindi lang yata first time yan (The arrest (on mistaken identity) was not the first time). There are isolated cases also of mistaken identities sa mga tao natin kasi kung minsan nagkakamali ‘yung nagtuturo (because of wrong information) especially the complainant,” Albayalde said in a press conference. (File photo by Joey O. Razon/PNA)

MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Oscar Albayalde on Monday directed the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to conduct an inquiry after Davao Today columnist Margarita Valle was mistakenly arrested on Sunday.

Albayalde admitted that the arrest of the 61-year-old journalist was a case of ‘mistaken identity’.

“’Yung pag-aresto talagang hindi lang yata first time yan (The arrest (on mistaken identity) was not the first time). There are isolated cases also of mistaken identities sa mga tao natin kasi kung minsan nagkakamali ‘yung nagtuturo (because of wrong information) especially the complainant,” Albayalde said in a press conference.

He said part of the investigation is how deep the case buildup was made before the joint team of police and military personnel conducted the arrest.

“Remember our law enforcers hindi naman talaga kilala ‘yung (They really don’t know the) subject. It is the complainant who knows the subject usually and they based their actions on the informant,” he explained.

Albayalde said the PNP IAS will look into possible lapses of the police personnel involved in the operation.

Valle was arrested on June 9 while waiting for a flight home to Davao City at the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro.

According to the report, the subject of the operation was a certain Elsa Renton who has a standing arrest warrant over charges of multiple murders, frustrated murder, and damage to government properties. Renton is also using names such as Tina Maglaya or Fidelina Margarita Valle y Avellanosa.

Valle was brought to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) office in Zamboanga City and was immediately released after an informant confirmed that Valle was not the actual suspect although they have a “major resemblance”.

Albayalde said the PNP will assist Valle if she will file complaint against the arresting cops.

“If ‘yung tao na yun feels na (If she feels) she was violated we will be very glad to assist her,” Albayalde said.

“Kung may viniolate doon sa amin (If violation was committed on our part), we will not hesitate to file charges against our people. In fact, whether kung meron siyang reklamo o wala iimbestigahan po namin yan para hindi na maulit ang bagay na yan (whether or not she will file complain, we will still investigate so that it will not happen again),” he explained.