Filmmaker Jade Castro has insisted that he and his friends are innocent after getting detained following what he claimed as a warrantless arrest over alleged arson.
A report by the Philippine News Agency said Castro, including three others, were arrested for allegedly burning a modern jeepney in Catanauan, Quezon on Wednesday night.
Castro, however, claimed they were staying at a resort in Mulanay, Quezon at the time.
“INOSENTE KAMI! Nagbabakasyon lang kaming magkakaibigan sa [M]ulanay [Q]uezon pero inaresto kami sa krimen na nangyari sa [C]atanauan,” read Castro’s post on X last Friday afternoon, February 2.
INOSENTE KAMI! nagbabakasyon lang kaming magkakaibigan sa mulanay quezon pero inaresto kami sa krimen na nangyari sa catanauan https://t.co/Sjqo4cXe2D
— jade francis castro (@castrojade) February 2, 2024
Guys sorry di maka reply bawal celphone. Opo warrantless arrest arson
— jade francis castro (@castrojade) February 2, 2024
The report furthered that initial investigation of the police said four men wearing bonnets burned down the modern jeepney owned by Gumaca Transport. The suspects were identified by the driver and a passenger.
Meanwhile, the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines Inc. (DGPI) also cried foul over Castro’s arbitrary detention, demanding the filmmaker’s immediate release.
“Castro declared his innocence and stated he was on vacation with friends when personalities of the Philippine National Polce (PNP) arrested them for a crime that occurred in Catanauan, Quezon,” said the filmmakers’ group, headed by Mark Meily, in a statement.
“Castro shared more disturbing information: the arrest was warrantless. Jade Castro is a vetted DGPI member and an important voice of the Philippine Independent Cinema.
The filmmakers’ organization further said, “We stand by his innocence and testify to his good character. We urge clarity on the matter from the authorities involved, and the immediate release of Jade Castro from detention.”
Castro is the person behind films such as LSS (2019), Zombadings (2011), and Endo (2007) and TV series Boys’ Lockdown.
