Why is Filipino director Jade Castro in jail and what you need to know about his warrantless arrest
Several calls for the immediate release of Filipino director and writer Jade Castro and his friends are still ongoing following their warrantless arrest for their alleged involvement in the burning of a modern jeepney in Catanauan, Quezon.
Castro and his friends Ernesto Orcine, Noel Mariano, and Dominic Ramos went on a vacation in a resort in Mulanay, Quezon, a 30-minute drive away from Catanauan. As of writing, the group has been detained for six days after the authorities accused them of arson on Feb. 1.
To further understand the case, here’s a rundown of what happened in the past week.
Why was Castro arrested?
According to 24 Oras’ report, a modern jeep was burned down by four masked men on Jan. 31 in Barangay Dahican in Catanauan town.
Days after, Castro’s group was arrested in a resort in Mulanay, Quezon on charges of arson. According to the report, the police of Mulanay said that the group was arrested based on the information they had received.
The police also added that “evidence” of the group’s involvement was their vehicle, which they claimed was the same one they found upon investigation.
"Case of arson were already filed against them. They have the right naman, they will explain their side," Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda said.
For his part, CALABARZON PNP regional director Paul Kenneth Lucas maintained that they are positive that Castro and his friends were the suspects, claiming that witnesses were able to identify the group behind the crime.
“They are entitled sa alibi nila, we have witnesses na nagsasabi na sila ‘yun, positively identified sila e. I think ‘yung driver at saka ‘yun konduktor ata ina-identify nila ito kaya nag-file tayo ng case. Kailangan i-prove nila ‘yun sa korte,” PBGen. Lucas said.
Castro and group cried foul on ‘unlawful’ arrest
On Feb. 2, Castro cried foul on the unlawful arrest and stressed their innocence, saying that they only went for a vacation in the town. He also added that they were arrested without a warrant on charges of arson.
“INOSENTE KAMI! nagbabakasyon lang kaming magkakaibigan sa [Mulanay, Quezon] pero inaresto kami sa krimen na nangyari sa catanauan,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Guys sorry di maka reply bawal celphone. Opo warrantless arrest arson,” he wrote in a separate post.
The group’s family also stressed their innocence, saying that the group had no way to do the crime especially since they only went to Quezon for a vacation.
“Nagbabakasyon sila sa kabilang town. Nandoon sila sa Mulanay the whole time noong Jan. 31. Wala rin po silang kahit anong gamit na pang-sunog kasi ang dala po nila, pang-bakasyon lang talaga; mga bag nila, damit, swimming trunks,” Jasper Castro, Jade’s brother said during his interview with TV Patrol.
Quezon LGU officials backs up Castro
Public information officer Angelito Amisola and public safety officer Joelda Tajeda of Mulanay also supported Castro’s statement.
In a sworn statement shared with TV Patrol, the two LGU officials said that they saw the group having dinner in El Patio, a food court in Mulanay at around 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 31, the same time and date that a modern jeepney was being burned down in Catanauan.
“Kung lumalabas na 7:30 sinunog ‘yung modernized jeepney, nandito sila nun. Kasama namin, kausap namin sila,” Amisola said, saying that they also helped the group to find another accommodation since their current room at the time was far from the plaza where festivities for Cocolunay Festival is taking place.
ABS-CBN News also obtained CCTV footage on the same day, where Castro’s sedan was seen roaming around the streets of Mulanay at the time of the burning incident in Catanauan.
The group’s counsel, Atty. Michael Marpuri maintained that the group has nothing to do with the crime.
“Walang kasalanan, wala sila doon. Imposibleng nandoon sila because they cannot be at two places at the same time,” Atty. Marpuri said in an interview with TV Patrol.
The camp also raised doubt about the police’s “witnesses,” pointing out the contradictions between the latter’s statements to the police's initial report.
“Ang statement ng ibang testigo, may mga baril daw ‘yung mga nag-accost sa kanila. Actually wala namang nakuhang mga baril kina Jade and the company. Then sabi po ng ibang testigo ng mga pulis, covered ang face nila. Then later on may nagsabi na na-identify ang mukha,” Atty. Blanchie Baticulon said.
Industry calls for immediate release of Castro's group
Key people in the film industry, including directors Antonette Jadaone and Erik Matti as well as groups including DAKILA, PEN Philippines, and Directors' Guild of the Philippines, Inc. (DGPI) call for their immediate release following the "unlawful" arrest.
"As an advocate for justice, we urge an immediate, fair, and transparent investigation by Philippine authorities, trusting in our legal system to protect the rights of those in custody," DAKILA wrote in a statement.
On Feb. 7, TV Patrol reported that DILG secretary Benhur Abalos ordered PNP Chief Acorda to do an in-depth investigation of the case. The Quezon police have also formed a special task force dedicated to Castro's case.
The CALABARZON police also added that they will have the obtained CCTV footage further examined by the Anti-Cybercrime group.
Castro's camp is also given 10 days to submit their counter-affidavit. They are also set for a preliminary investigation on Feb. 12 in Catanauan.
Castro is known for his work in critically acclaimed films Endo and Zombadings.