Ni Liezelle Soriano

MANILA — Pananagutin ng Quezon City Police District (QCPD) ang mga indibidwal na nagpakalat ng video ng pagkamatay ng aktor na si Ronaldo Valdez.

Ayon kay Police Colonel Jean Fajardo, sinabi ni QCPD Police BGen. Rederico Maranan na natukoy na nila ang ilang sibilyan na sangkot sa pagkalat ng video.

“May na-identify na po sila na mga sibilyan na nag-upload nito sa social media at papanagutin po natin sila dahil obviously ito ay violation ng privacy ng pamilya,” ani Fajardo.

Sinabi ni Fajardo na patuloy ang imbestigasyon sa insidente.

“May kakahinatnan po ang imbestigasyon natin, at kakasuhan natin at paparusahan kung sino man po ang may kasalanan dito,” aniya.

“Hindi po natatapos sa public apology ang ginagawa ng QCPD,” dagdag pa niya.

Mahaharap sa kasong administratibo ang limang pulis na sangkot sa imbestigasyon, kabilang ang neglect of duty, grave misconduct, at paglabag sa cybercrime law, naunang sinabi ng QCPD.

(el Amigo/MNM)

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)

MANILA — Three police officers have been removed from their positions following the leak of a video depicting the deceased actor Ronaldo Valdez.

Brigadier General Redrico Maranan of the Quezon City Police District announced the decision, stating that Senior Master Sergeant Wilfredo Calinao, Corporal Romel Rosales, and Quezon City Police District Station 11 commander Lieutenant Colonel Reynante Parlade were relieved of their duties.

In an interview, Maranan emphasized that administrative and criminal complaints would be filed against the implicated officers.

Calinao, identified as the first responder at the scene, had taken the video, which subsequently circulated widely on various social media platforms.

Maranan expressed strong disapproval of Calinao’s actions, stating, “If you are a first responder, your job is just to secure the scene. You should not be taking a video.”

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Valdez’s death falls under the jurisdiction of the Quezon City Police District’s criminal investigation and detection unit, Maranan added.

Authorities are actively looking into how the video found its way onto Facebook and other social media channels.

Lt. Col. Reynante Parlade was relieved based on the doctrine of command responsibility, while Romel Rosales was identified as the individual who shared the video within their Viber group chat.

In addition to the police officers, three civilians who posted the video on Facebook are facing criminal charges for violating the Cybercrime Prevention Act (Republic Act 10175) and the data privacy law (RA 10173).

Colonel Jean Fajardo, the PNP public information officer, called on netizens to refrain from sharing the video on their social media accounts, emphasizing that it was not intended for public dissemination and urging respect for the privacy of the victim and his family.

Meanwhile, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte strongly condemned the video leak, describing it as a breach of privacy and basic human decency.

She directed Brig. Gen. Maranan to conduct a thorough investigation against all police personnel present at the scene, with corresponding sanctions for those found at fault.

Belmonte stressed the importance of adherence to police procedures, including evidence collection, without violating the principles of trust, professionalism, and confidentiality.

She also urged Filipinos to refrain from sharing the leaked video, expressing condolences to the family and friends of the late actor.

“Let us respect the privacy and dignity of the late actor and his family in this time of intense grief. It is highly distasteful for anyone to use the sad and unfortunate demise of an individual to gain social media mileage and popularity,” Belmonte added.

(Jr Amigo/IA/MNM)

MANILA — The entertainment industry came together to pay their respects to the late veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez at his wake in Makati City.

The memorial service, held at the Garden Suite of Loyola Memorial Chapels and Crematorium in Guadalupe, saw an outpouring of condolences from celebrities and well-wishers.

Valdez’s talent manager and close friend, Jamela Santos, documented the event on social media, sharing moments with stars like Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Alyssa Muhlach, Gelli de Belen, and more who attended to bid farewell to the beloved actor.

In a heartbreaking turn of events, a sensitive video capturing the response of Quezon City Police District personnel at Valdez’s residence circulated online.

The footage, depicting the actor’s lifeless body with a gun in hand, prompted a stern response from Santos. She vowed to take action against those responsible for spreading the video, describing them as “animals” and expressing her determination to seek justice.

Santos, in a passionate plea on Instagram, condemned the lack of respect shown in sharing such content and called for mass reporting of the social media pages hosting the video. She also reached out to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) for assistance in addressing the situation.

Meanwhile, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) paid tribute to Valdez, acknowledging his significant contributions to the Philippine film industry.

The German Moreno Walk of Fame Foundation also remembered the legendary actor, expressing gratitude for the decades of cinematic magic he brought to audiences.

As the entertainment community mourns the loss of a beloved figure, the focus remains on honoring Ronaldo Valdez’s legacy. At the time of reporting, details regarding the inurnment date and location have not been disclosed.

(ElAmigo/MNM)

MANILA — In a somber turn of events, veteran actor Ronaldo Valdez, also known as Ronald James Dulaca Gibbs, is believed to have taken his own life, according to a report from the Quezon City Police District released on Monday.

Valdez, born on November 27, 1946, at the age of 77, had been grappling with depression following a recent prostate cancer operation in December 2022 at the Cardinal Santos Hospital.

The tragic discovery was made by his driver, Angelito Oclarit, who found Valdez’s lifeless body in his room at Unit 25 Casa Nueva Homes, No. 15 Manga Street, Barangay Mariana in New Manila, Quezon City, on Sunday afternoon. The actor was found seated, bloodied, with a handgun still in one hand.

Scene of the Crime Operatives from the QCPD Forensic Unit, led by P/Cpt. Adhrin Domingo, reported the recovery of a caliber .45 Norinco pistol with serial number 454697, an empty magazine, one fired cartridge case, and a gun case containing an empty magazine beside the actor.

Examination of the scene revealed gunshot wounds to Valdez’s right and left temple, suggesting the possibility of suicide.

QCPD Director P/Brig. Gen. Red Maranan emphasized that a conclusive determination of suicide awaits the results of laboratory tests. “We need to wait for the lab exam results from SOCO before we can conclude,” Maranan stated.

Ronaldo Valdez, whose illustrious career spanned over six decades, was celebrated for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles. His most recent project, ABS-CBN’s “2 Good 2 Be True,” showcased his enduring appeal, particularly with younger audiences who admired his portrayal of “Lolo Sir.”

Among his notable films are “May Minamahal,” “The Mistress,” and “Seven Sundays.” Valdez’s legacy continues through his children, actor, singer-songwriter, and comedian Janno Gibbs, and Melissa Gibbs, who have followed in their father’s footsteps in the entertainment industry.

(JR AMIGO/AI/MNM)

MANILA — Renowned film and television actor Ronaldo Valdez, known for his commanding presence on screen, has passed away on Sunday, December 17, as confirmed by the Quezon City Police District and reported by ABS-CBN.

The cause of his death remains undisclosed.

At 76 years old, Valdez leaves behind a legacy that includes notable roles in films like “Cedie,” “The Flor Contemplacion Story,” and “Seven Sundays,” as well as TV series such as “Mula Sa Puso,” “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” and “I Love Betty La Fea.”

Among his recent projects was the KathNiel series “2 Good 2 Be True.”

Valdez, the father of singer-comedian Janno Gibbs and singer-actress Melissa Gibbs, also made history as the first Filipino Colonel Sanders in Kentucky Fried Chicken advertisements.

In 2015, he received the Golden Screen TV Awards’ Helen Vela Lifetime Achievement Award for Drama.

(JR AMIGO/ai/mmm)