MANILA — In a poignant press conference held nearly a month after the demise of veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez, his son, singer-actor Janno Gibbs, took a stand on Monday (15 Jan 2024), urging members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to issue a public apology for the mishandling of his father’s case.
Joined by his lawyer, Lorna Kapunan, Gibbs delivered a statement condemning the insensitive handling of the investigation by the Philippine National Police. Kapunan read the statement on Gibbs’ behalf, expressing their distress over the unauthorized release of the investigation video online and subsequent social media posts, some of which invaded their privacy and spread unfounded rumors linking Gibbs to his father’s death.
“The sudden death of my father Ronaldo Valdez on December 17, 2023, shocked not just my family, but the entire showbiz industry. Before we could process our grief, we faced even more pain due to the oblivious handling of the investigation by the Philippine National Police,” Gibbs asserted.
The mishandling of the investigation, coupled with media attacks against the family, prompted Gibbs to strongly denounce the apparent mismanagement and breaches of confidentiality by the Investigation team. He emphasized the alarming consequences of leaking sensitive information, not only for his family but for society as a whole.
Ronaldo Valdez was discovered lifeless in his room at his New Manila, Quezon City home by his driver, and despite being rushed to the hospital, he was declared dead on arrival at the age of 76. The Quezon City Police District later confirmed the discovery of a .45 caliber pistol with an empty magazine near Valdez’s body.
Following the leaked graphic footage taken by first responders, three police officers were relieved of their positions. The Quezon City government initiated an investigation into the leak, and the actor’s manager, Jamela Santos, threatened legal action against those responsible. Three civilians who uploaded the footage on social media were also charged with cybercrime offenses and breaches of privacy laws.
In the press conference, Gibbs demanded a public apology from the PNP and the officers directly responsible for the lapses in the investigation. He expressed optimism regarding the ongoing investigation against the erring police officers, trusting that the appropriate government agencies would take necessary action. Gibbs and Kapunan also urged the public to exercise vigilance when sharing online content, especially concerning individuals in the midst of grieving.
(el Amigo/MNM)