Elderly man arrested over mistaken identity released

An elderly man arrested in August 2023 in a case of mistaken identity has been released, Senator Robin Padilla said on Thursday.

In a statement, Padilla said Mohammad Maca-Antal Said was released from the Taguig City Jail following a court order.

“After a long time of suffering, Tatay Said is free. Mr. President, because of the Senate's support, he is now free. Thank you very much,” Padilla said.

On August 10, 2023, Said was arrested in Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 when he was about to depart for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

The following month, Padilla called out the arrest and defended Said.

In his previlegde speech, Padilla said that it was a namesake—Abu Sayyaf member Mohammed Said, alias Ama Maas—who had nine active warrants. Padilla showed photos that, he said, proved that these were two different men. He also said that alias Ama Maas has been dead since 2016

When he was released by the National Bureau of Investigation, the agency issued him a certificate showing that he had no "derogatory record,” according to the senator.

Senate majority leader Joel Villanueva apologized to Said and vowed that the Senate would take action to pressure government agencies in improving the justice system.

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, meanwhile, agreed with Villanueva and encouraged Padilla to "continue to fight for the needs of our kababayan particularly our Muslim brothers in Mindanao."

Padilla, meanwhile, said that another victim of mistaken identity, Mohammad Pangcoga Said, also needs help.

"This is unacceptable and unjust, especially in this time of technology and innovation," Padilla said.

Due to this, Padilla sought to resolve the loopholes in information sharing among agencies.

“If we want to earn back the public's trust in laying the foundation of a just society, I hope there will be no more case of mistaken identity,” Padilla said. —Joviland Rita/ VAL, GMA Integrated News