Albayalde orders probe of columnist’s wrongful arrest

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde yesterday ordered an investigation into the arrest of a 60-year-old opinion writer based in Davao City who was mistaken for a fugitive.

Albayalde directed the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to lead the probe on possible lapses of police officers who arrested Fidelina Margarita Valle as she was about to board a plane at the Laguindingan Airport in Cagayan de Oro City on Sunday.

Albayalde assured Valle that the PNP is willing to assist her if she felt her rights were violated.

“If there were violations committed while she was in custody and if she has a complaint, we will not hesitate to file charges against our
people,” Albayalde said.

He said Valle’s arrest was an isolated case of mistaken identity.  The arrest was supposedly based on warrants for multiple murder with frustrated murder and arson against a certain Elsa Renton.

CIDG director Maj. Gen. Amador Corpus said Valle resembles the facial features of Renton based on a photo obtained by police officers.

The columnist was released after being held for almost 11 hours.

Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the PNP should apologize to Valle.

”If it is a case of mistaken identity, the police owe that journalist an apology,” Panelo said.

Jacqueline de Guia, Commission on Human Rights spokesperson, chided the PNP for the wrongful arrest, noting that ”the slightest mistake impacts on the fundamental rights of the arrested person.” – With Alexis Romero, Rainier Allan Ronda