The arbitrary arrest and detention of renowned journalist Fidelina Margarita Valle on June 9 by officers of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group Region 9 was met with widespread condemnation.

Valle was arrested while waiting for her flight to Davao City at the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental. She was detained for 12 hours based on a warrant against a certain Elsa Renton, alias Tina Maglaya and Fidelina Margarita Valle, who was wanted for arson, multiple murder and destruction of government property.

Valle’s family said that the arrest is clearly a case of harassment and intimidation against the victim for her advocacy and stand against the tyranny of Rodrigo Duterte. The PNP was compelled to release Valle after the incident was broadly criticized. The PNP lamely reasoned out that the arrest was “a case of mistaken identity” and merely apologized. The Valle family rejected the apology and vowed to file charges against the CIDG.

Valle is a columnist of news portal Davao Today.