The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) has called for police accountability after the arrest of 81-year-old retired technician Prudencio Cebu “Tatay Pruding” Calubid Jr. He was arrested at his home in Olongapo City in December after he was mistaken for an NDFP peace consultant who has been missing since 2006. According to NUPL, this was not just a simple misidentification, but a deliberate misidentification related to the bounty system.
His daughter Analyn petitioned the court to release him, saying there was clear evidence that he was not the person on the wanted list. The Court of Appeals ordered his immediate release because the police did not even check whether he was the person with the criminal cases and arrest warrant.
NUPL emphasized that Calubid's arrest was the result of a P7.8 million bounty for his namesake. In this system, police are motivated to pursue "results" instead of true justice. As a result, public funds are abused and the rights of the innocent are trampled on.
The group also pointed out that this is not the first time this has happened. This is similar to the case of Rolly Panesa, a security guard who was wrongly arrested and tortured after being mistaken for an NPA member who also wore a high headdress. NUPL added that such incidents cause fear and distrust in those who are supposed to be the protectors of the people.
