- Citation
- G.R. No. 197597
- Court
- Supreme Court
- Division
- Second Division
- Ponente
- LEONEN
- Decided
- April 8, 2015
Summary
Datukan Malang Salibo was illegally detained due to mistaken identity, being confused with Butukan S. Malang who was wanted for the Maguindanao Massacre. Despite presenting evidence that he was in Saudi Arabia during the massacre for Hajj pilgrimage, police arrested and detained him. The Supreme Court held that habeas corpus is the proper remedy for persons deprived of liberty due to mistaken identity, as they are not under lawful process and are continuously being illegally detained. The Court distinguished this from cases where valid informations exist, ruling that a motion to quash would not cure the fundamental defect that the detained person is entirely different from the accused. The decision emphasized the extraordinary and summary nature of habeas corpus as protection for personal liberty, ultimately ordering Salibo's immediate release from detention.