The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Monday, January 15, issued a public apology to the family of late veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez after the latter's crime scene video was leaked online.
In a statement obtained by DZRH News, QCPD expressed its "deep regret" for the distress that the unauthorized video footage caused to Valdez's family.
"The QCPD extends its sincere apologies to the Gibbs family regarding the recent incident where a member of our police force inappropriately took a video of the late Mr. Ronaldo Valdez. We acknowledge the gravity of this lapse in judgment of some of our personnel, and we deeply regret any distress this may have caused," it said.
Five QCPD officers who responded to the incident were reportedly dismissed from service and are now facing the following administrative charges:
- Neglect of Duty
- Grave Irregularity in the Performance of Duty
- Grave Misconduct in relation to R.A. 10173 (Data Privacy Act of 2012)
- R.A. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012)
- Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer
- Grave Misconduct in relation to P.D. 1829 (Obstruction of Justice)
Three other police officers are facing Neglect of Duty.
Meanwhile, QCPD said legal actions would be taken against identified civilians who allegedly shared the veteran actor's crime scene video online.
"[T]he QCPD urges the Gibbs family to file a criminal case against those involved in the proliferation of the said video," it furthered.
QCPD Director Red Maranan also expressed his sincere apologies to the late veteran actor's family.
"Tayo ay humihingi ng paumanhin sa pamilya Gibbs at sa kanilang mga kaibigan dahil doon sa sakit na naidulot nung paglabas ng video sa iba't ibang social media platforms," he said in a video statement.
Maranan said he personally asked for Janno Gibs's forgiveness after the press conference wherein the latter called on the QCPD to issue a public apology.
WATCH: Public apology ng QCPD sa pamilya ng yumaong aktor na si Ronaldo Valdez | via RH 5 Val Gonzales pic.twitter.com/pGJs3oZp5j
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) January 15, 2024
