Albayalde clarifies pedicab driver shot by Quezon cops not re-arrested

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde on Monday clarified that the pedicab driver who was shot in the face by cops in Quezon province was not re-arrested.

Albayalde, in a press conference, explained that the fiscal had ordered to uphold the detention of pedicab driver Roger Herrero.

"Ito ay napakatagal na na issue, way back November 2018 pa ito. In fact ito pong tao na ito ay naaresto. He was charged for robbery, frustrated murder and illegal possession of firearms... tatlong kaso ang kaniyang hinaharap. Siya ay nabaril sa engkuwentro ng ating mga pulis," Albayalde said.

"Nandoon siya sa ospital for months. Lumabas siya noong March 1 and the fiscal sustained his detention. 'Yung fiscal upheld his detention. Until now nasa custody siya ng pulis. Hindi po siya nare-arrest o naaresto ulit," he added.

"Siya ay naaresto noon pa ngunit siya ay dinala sa ospital for medical treatment dahil nga may tama siya. Ngayon maayos na siya. Nu'ng March 1, nagkaroon ng desisyon ang fiscal na in-uphold niya 'yung decision," Albayalde said.

Over the weekend, human rights lawyer Jose Manuel "Chel" Diokno of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) claimed that Herrero, his client, was nabbed without warrant.

Herrero was allegedly abducted by four Quezon policemen aboard a black car in November last year. On their way to Atimonan town, Herrero said the police officers forced him to admit involvement in a crime he did not do.

Upon arrival at a remote area, one of the cops got out of the car, dragging Herrero with him, and shot him in the face. The shot shattered his jaw but the pedicab driver survived.

Albayalde also said Herrero filed a case against the policemen before the Office of the Ombudsman. However, it was dismissed.

"Unang una hindi natin alam bakit lumabas 'yan. Is it because of the election fever or not? Baka ito pong ganitong mga klaseng insidente ay nagagamit lamang," he said.

Herrero's lawyer, Diokno, is eyeing a Senate seat in the coming midterm elections. —KG, GMA News