QCPD says sorry to Janno Gibbs

MANILA, Philippines — Acknowledging the lapse in judgment of its police officers that caused distress to the family of Ronaldo Valdez, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has apologized for a leaked video of the late actor’s body.

“The QCPD extends its sincere apologies to the Gibbs family regarding the recent incident wherein a member of our police force inappropriately took a video of the late Mr. Ronaldo Valdez,” it said in a statement issued on Monday night.

“We acknowledge the gravity of this lapse in judgment of some of our personnel, and we deeply regret any distress this may have caused,” the QCPD added.

Valdez’s son, actor Janno Gibbs, on Monday asked for a public apology from the Philippine National Police after the video, which was taken by a police officer, was uploaded on social media platforms.

QCPD director Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan said he called up Gibbs and relayed their apology to the actor’s family.

Maranan said five police officers are facing administrative charges of grave misconduct, grave irregularity in the performance of duty, neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer for the video.

Three other police officers are also under investigation for neglect of duty under the doctrine of command responsibility.

Maranan vowed swift and decisive action against the police officers, emphasizing that their behavior does not reflect the values of most of the members of the QCPD.

Maranan said police identified four civilians who uploaded the video on social media platforms.

The QCPD is preparing criminal charges of violating Republic Act 10173, the Data Privacy Act, and RA 10175 or the Cybercrime Prevention Law against the suspects.

“We are just waiting for the family of Gibbs to file a formal complaint,” Maranan said in a video message.