Janno Gibbs demands public apology from policemen behind leaked video of late father

Janno Gibbs on Monday, Gibbs held a press conference, asking the Philippine National Police (PNP) to issue a public apology over lapses in their investigation of the death of his father Ronaldo Valdez.

The actor called out the police for leaking the reports, which contained their home address, and videos of his father at the time of the incident.

“Kung iisipin mo, malagim na nga yung nangyari sa amin, yung actual na pangyayari malagim na. Eh dumoble pa," he said, naming a few vloggers. "Naiintindihan ko naman, 'yun ang trabaho mo, 'yun ang pinagkakakitaan. I don't mind it were a question mark or 'apparently' or 'diumano' pero ang thumbnail walang question mark eh. Statement eh.”

He continued: “Gusto ko lang sabihin sa inyo, doon sa mga binanggit ko, ganito na ba kababa, kadesperado ang mga vloggers for likes and views? You know, at the expense of our lives, my father’s reputation, my family. Ganun na ba talga kadesperado? Sa kanilang lahat yung mga binanggit ko, pati sa lahat ng netizens na nag share, nagpasa ng video, I want to say shame on you. Or better yet, f—k you. I think that’s the better statement.”

Gibbs, who started tearing up, added that the reason why he held a press conference was because he does not wish for this to happen to anybody else.

'A call for vigilance'

Gibbs and his attorney, Lorna Kapunan, maintained that they do not wish to file a case, but want this to be a wake-up call to those in authority.

“While we do not seek to file, Kapunan and Castillo Offices, this is a call of vigilance. For vigilance of all of us who have lost dignity, who have lost the right to privacy. And napakasakit po. Have we forgotten to be kind? Have we forgotten to be decent human beings?" Kapunan asked.

"Panawagan rin sana ito sa mga mambabatas natin na tignan natin, patibayan natin ang crimes on electronic media, patibayan natin ang right to privacy. I-klaro natin ano ba ang function ng isang investigating agency especially those who are responsible for thoroughly investigating the crime scene," she added.

For his part, Gibbs said that he initially wanted to press charges but he and his family do not want to relive the trauma.

"I’ve thought about it. At first, I wanted to but naisip ko no amount of damages, pera, no amount of that can erase yung trauma. Nandyan na eh, nangyari na," he explained.

"It’s already there at nandito pa rin. We’re still traumatized. Kahit na maparusahan pa sila, traumatized na kami. Ano pang makukuha namin dun? I didn't need to do this but 'yun na nga lang it’s for reference, for cautionary tale. Let this be a cautionary tale," the actor added.

While acknowledging the value of a free press, Kapunan clarified that responsible reporting and mindful social media posting are crucial, especially when dealing with sensitive matters.

"The family wants peace. They may be public figures, they may be in the movie industry, but they are entitled to dignity and being left alone as they continue to grieve for their father," Kapunan said.

"We are a very free society. We value our freedom of the press. Hindi naman po natin sinasabi na there should be censorship in the press. We are not saying that individuals should not express their opinions, but your opinion stops when you start destroying the reputation of others," she added.