PNP Vows Compensation for Elderly Man Jailed by Mistake
WRONGLY IMPRISONED – An 81-year-old man wrongly jailed due to mistaken identity will be compensated, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
The man, identified as Prudencio “Tatay Pruding” Calubid Jr., was arrested and detained for six months after being mistaken for a high-ranking officer of the Communist Party of the Philippines–New People’s Army (CPP-NPA).
PNP Chief Police General Nicolas Torre III confirmed in a press briefing that while it was unfortunate a mistake was made, the individual is entitled to compensation under Philippine law for those wrongfully convicted. The amount he will receive will be determined by the court.
Torre acknowledged public concern over the incident and said the PNP is currently reviewing the details. He assured that a thorough examination would be conducted and a formal statement will be released once all facts are verified.
The National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) condemned the arrest and detention, calling it a clear case of wrongful and malicious imprisonment. They clarified that the real Prudencio Calubid—who served as a peace consultant for the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)—has been missing since June 2006 following an alleged abduction by suspected military agents. A P7.8 million bounty had been placed on his capture.
The NUPL criticized the current law enforcement system, claiming it prioritizes performance metrics and financial rewards over justice. They warned that this environment makes poor and innocent civilians vulnerable, with bounty-hunting sometimes replacing due process.
According to GMA News, in its decision, the Court of Appeals ruled that authorities had failed to perform even the basic checks to ensure they were arresting the right person. This serious lapse led to the wrongful detention of an elderly civilian who bore no connection to the alleged crimes.
Related Post: Man Wrongfully Jailed for 8 Days Due to Police Clearance ‘Hit’