Arreglo v. Office of the Deputy Ombudsman

Summary

Petitioners Jasmin B. Arreglo and Venancio M. Acedo challenged the Ombudsman's dismissal of arbitrary detention charges against police officers and barangay officials who arrested and detained them. The respondents claimed lawful arrest as petitioners were caught in flagrante delicto cohabiting. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition, affirming the Ombudsman's decision. The Court held that arbitrary detention under Article 124 of the Revised Penal Code requires detention without legal grounds, but here the arrest was justified as petitioners were caught in flagrante delicto. The Court found no grave abuse of discretion by the Ombudsman and upheld the presumption of regularity in police officers' performance of duty. This case clarifies the elements of arbitrary detention and the scope of lawful warrantless arrests by police officers.