Press Release - Elderly Muslim Defended by Robin Indeed a Victim of 'Mistaken Identity,' Say Courts

No less than the courts have ruled that an elderly Muslim who Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla had defended last month was a victim of "mistaken identity."

Because of this, the Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branches 271 and 153 granted the motion to dismiss and motion to release for Mohammad Maca-Antal Said, 62.

Said was charged with frustrated murder before the Taguig RTC Branch 271; and murder and frustrated murder before the Taguig RTC Branch 153.

However, Said could not be released immediately as there are two more case hearings in different courts scheduled for the coming weeks.

Last September, Padilla demanded justice for "Tatay Mohammad" who was arrested last August over a case of mistaken identity, because he had the same name as a man linked to heinous crimes.

"Ang kaso po ng mistaken identity ay hindi makatwiran, hindi makatarungan at hindi makatao. Hindi na po ito katanggap-tanggap lalo na sa panahon na bumubuhos ang technology at innovation. Kung nais nating ibalik ang buong tiwala ng publiko at patatagin ang pundasyon ng isang makatarungang lipunan, wala na pong Pilipino ang matutulad sa kapalarang sinapit ni Tatay Mohammad (This case of mistaken identity is unjust and inhumane. It is unacceptable in this age of technology and innovation. If we want to restore public trust and form a just society, no Filipino should suffer the same fate as Tatay Mohammad)," he said.

"Ang pinakamahalagang punto po ay ang pagsusuri ng ating mga sistema at polisiya para sa ating mga ahensyang nagpapatupad ng batas sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng tumpak na kritikal na impormasyon sa paghuli sa mga aktwal na kriminal (We must take a look at our law enforcement agencies' systems and policies in accurately sharing critical information in catching criminals)," he added.

Matandang Muslim na Ipinaglaban ni Robin, Biktima Nga ng 'Mistaken Identity,' Ayon sa Korte

Mismong korte na ang naghatol na isang biktima nga ng "mistaken identity" ang isang matandang Muslim na ipinagtanggol ni Sen. Robinhood "Robin" C. Padilla.

Dahil dito, "granted" ng Taguig City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branches 271 at 153 ang mga motion to dismiss at motion to release para kay Mohammad