Former political prisoners seek Ombudsman review of complaints against five police officials

Former political prisoners Niezel Agudo and Julieta Gomez were arrested during a joint military and police operation in Quezon City in July 2021 and spent almost four years in jail before being acquitted for lack of evidence. In November 2025 they lodged criminal complaints—including false testimony, perjury and unlawful arrest—and administrative charges such as grave abuse of authority against five Philippine National Police officers.

The Office of the Ombudsman dismissed those complaints in June of this year. On Monday, the duo submitted a motion for reconsideration, demanding that the officers be jailed and removed from service, and highlighting the disparity between swift activist incarcerations and the rarity of police prosecutions. Their appeal underscores ongoing concerns about evidence planting and police accountability in the Philippines.