3 cops axed over leak of Ronaldo Valdez video

MANILA, Philippines — Three police officers were removed from their posts in connection with a leaked video that showed the body of the late actor Ronaldo Valdez.

Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, Quezon City Police District, said yesterday he ordered the relief of Senior M/Sgt. Wilfredo Calinao, Cpl. Romel Rosales and QCPD Station 11 commander Lt. Col. Reynante Parlade.

“We will file administrative and criminal complaints,” Maranan said in an interview.

Maranan said Calinao was the first responder who took the video of Valdez, which later went viral on social media platforms.

Maranan did not mince words when asked about Calinao’s actions.

“If you are a first responder, your job is just to secure the scene. You should not be taking a video,” he said.

The investigation of Valdez’s death is the function of police officers of the QCPD’s criminal investigation and detection unit, Maranan added.

An investigation is underway to determine how the video made its way to Facebook and other social media platforms.

Parlade, meanwhile, was relieved based on the doctrine of command responsibility.

Rosales was the one who posted the video in their Viber group chat.

Police have also tracked down three civilians who posted a copy of the video on Facebook. They face criminal charges for violating Republic Act 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Act and RA 10173, the data privacy law.

Col. Jean Fajardo, PNP public information officer, urged netizens to refrain from sharing the video on their social media accounts.

“It was not intended to be shared. Let us respect the privacy of the victim and his family,” she said.

Belmonte orders  investigation

Also yesterday, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte condemned the leak of the video.

Describing it as a breach of privacy and basic human decency, Belmonte directed Maranan to conduct an investigation against all police personnel involved at the scene with corresponding sanctions to those at fault.

“Police procedures, including evidence collection, should be meticulously recorded without violating the principles of trust, professionalism and confidentiality that our law enforcers should uphold,” she said.

Valdez, 76, died at his home in Quezon City on Dec. 17. The cause of his death has yet to be released, with the QCPD vowing to conduct a thorough investigation.

Belmonte urged Filipinos to refrain from sharing the leaked video. She also expressed her condolences to the family and friends of the late actor.

“Let us respect the privacy and dignity of the late actor and his family in this time of intense grief. It is highly distasteful for anyone to use the sad and unfortunate demise of an individual to gain social media mileage and popularity,” she added.–  Janvic Mateo