QCPD apologizes over leaked Ronaldo Valdez video

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Monday issued a public apology to the family of singer Janno Gibbs over a leaked video of his father, the late Ronaldo Valdez.

“Tayo ay taos-pusong humihingi ng paumanhin sa lahat ng pamilya ng Gibbs ganun din sa kanilang mga kaibigan dahil sa sabihin na natin na sakit na naidulot noong paglabas ng video sa iba’t-ibang social media platforms kung saan involved ang isang police sa pagkuha ng video,” said QCPD  Director Police Brigadier General Redrico Maranan in an interview. 

(We are extending our apologies to the Gibbs family and friends for for the hurt that was caused when the video was posted on different social media platforms.)

Gibbs earlier urged the police personnel involved in the leak to issue a public apology to their family.

At a press conference, Gibbs’ lawyer Lorna Kapunan said that the investigating police officers, as well as their superiors, were directly responsible for the leak.

Maranan said he called up Gibbs after the press conference to personally relay his apology to the bereaved family. 

At least five QCPD personnel have been relieved from their posts following the video leak.

Maranan said they were not only dismissed but the QCPD filed administrative charges against them including neglect of duty, grave irregularity in the performance of duty, and grave misconduct. 

Neglect of duty was also filed against three police officers under the doctrine of command responsibility.

Maranan also said they would file criminal charges against four civilians, whom they identified as the persons to first upload the video on social media. 

“We were able to identify more or less apat na sibilyan na sila ang unang nag-upload sa social media nung video. Mayroon na tayong identification. We are ready to file the criminal case. We are just waiting for the family of Gibbs to file a complaint,” he added. 

(We were able to identify more or less four civilians who first uploaded the video. We have their identification and are ready to file the criminal case. We are just waiting for  the family of Gibbs to file a complaint.)

The QCPD chief also said they are investigating the alleged leakage of the police report related to Valdez’s death which indicates the address of the bereaved family.

In December 2023, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said that two policemen were relieved from their posts over their alleged involvement in the leak of the video showing Valdez's body. 

PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said the two were identified as the first responder and the responder's station commander. She said they could face administrative and criminal complaints.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has also ordered the city’s police force to investigate the personnel involved in leaking the video, and implement the necessary sanctions to those proven responsible for the spread of the video.

Valdez, one of the country's most acclaimed and popular TV and film actors, passed away on December 17 at the age of 76.  — Sundy Locus/BAP, GMA Integrated News