2 QC cops relieved from posts over leak of Ronaldo Valdez video —PNP

Two policemen were relieved from their posts over their alleged involvement in the leak of the video showing the body of actor Ronaldo Valdez, who died over the weekend, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday.

Citing Quezon City Police District (QCPD) chief Police Brigadier General Rederico Maranan, PNP spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said the relieved policemen were the first responder and the responder's station commander.

"Kausap ko kanina si district director at ni-relieve na po niya 'yung first responder at kaniyang station commander para tignan ang liability," Fajardo said at a press briefing in Camp Crame.

(I've just talked with the district director and he has ordered the relief of the first responder and the station commander to look into their liability.) 

Fajardo said the two, who are now being held at the QCPD holding unit pending investigation, could face administrative and criminal complaint.

"This is a regrettable incident na hindi dapat kumalat sa (that shouldn't have gone viral on) social media," Fajardo said, adding such video should only be strictly used for "documentation purposes."

"Kung ito ay kuha ng ating first police responders for documentation purposes, wala po sanang naging problema (if the video was shot by our first responders for documentation purposes, we will not have a problem)," she said.

Fajardo also said the QCPD is already coordinating with the PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) to identify those who shared the video on social media.

"I don't want to preempt the ongoing investigation but suffice it to say na nasabi ng district director ng QCPD na they are coordinating with ACG to identify kung sino 'yung mga nag-share ng videong ito," she said, adding that corresponding criminal cases could be filed against those persons.

(I don't want to preempt the ongoing investigation but suffice it to say that I've been told by the QCPD district director that they are coordinating with the ACG to identify those who shared the video.)

Fajardo urged the public to respect the privacy of Valdez's family.

Valdez, one of the country's most reliable and popular TV and film actors, passed away on Sunday at the age of 76.

The QCPD earlier said a thorough investigation is ongoing to ascertain the actor’s cause of death.

Meanwhile, in a statement, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte condemned the circulation of the video, calling it "a breach of privacy and basic human decency against the individual and his bereaved family."

She said a thorough review of all police protocols in conducting emergency response and investigation should be conducted.

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

The actor's talent manager, Jamela Santos expressed anger and disappointment to those who posted and shared the video.

"Magtutuos tayo pagkatapos ko magluksa.

Why people can be soooo cruel! I can't believe it! Ano, para maka-scoop kayo? Para mag-trending kayo? How can you be soooo low! Mga walang respeto!" Santos posted in Facebook and Instagram on Tuesday.

(I will deal with you after I finish grieving. Just so you can have a scoop? So you can be trending? You have no respect.)

Belmonte urged Quezon City residents to refrain from sharing the video. —KBK/RF, GMA Integrated News