Cops involved in Ronaldo Valdez video leak fired, actor's manager urges to mass report clip
The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) has fired the two policemen and a police station chief involved in circulating the crime scene video of late veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez.
In a press briefing, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo described the video leak as a "regrettable incident," adding that the cops involved could also face criminal and administrative complaints.
"This is a regrettable incident na hindi dapat kumalat sa social media," she said, adding that videos from a crime scene should only be used for documentation.
"Kung ito ay kuha ng ating first police responders for documentation purposes, wala po sanang naging problems."
The two policemen, who were said to be the first responder and the responder's station commander, are currently being held at the QCPD holding facility while the investigation is ongoing.
The leak of the video of Valdez sparked outrage on social media, with his talent manager Jamela Santos decrying the incident.
“Mga [hayop] kayo! Magtutuos tayo pagkatapos ko magluksa,” Santos wrote, addressing those who circulated the clip. “Why [can people] be so cruel! I can’t believe it! Ano, para maka-scoop kayo? Para mag-trending kayo? How can you be so low! Mga walang respeto!"
Santos also emphasized that Valdez was a "good" and "brilliant" man and "does not deserve" what was done to him.
"Babalik sa inyo lahat ng ginawa niyo!" she ended.
Santos asked internet users to collectively report the video and pleaded with the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to investigate the matter.
QCPD's chief of Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit Maj. Don Don Llapitan told 24 Oras that Valdez was found in his room, unresponsive in his chair with a gunshot wound in his right temple and a gun in his hand.
The film and television star was rushed to the hospital for immediate treatment but was declared dead on arrival.
Everyone who was with Valdez at home had to undergo paraffin and ballistic tests as part of the standard operating procedure of the investigation into his sudden passing.
The results are yet to be released.