Former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief and now Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) General Manager Nicolas Torre clarified that the filing of a case against the driver involved in the LRT-1 incident is mandatory, but stressed that the manner of filing remains at the discretion of the police investigator.

Torre issued the statement following public reaction over the decision to subject the driver to inquest proceedings after a 23-year-old student jumped from a high point at the LRT-1 Fernando Poe Jr. Avenue Station on February 11.

“Filing of the case is mandatory kasi nga may umiiyak na mga magulang,” Torre said, noting that authorities are obligated to act when there is a complainant or aggrieved party.

However, he emphasized that investigators have discretion on how the case is filed.

According to Torre, there are two ways to file a case. The first is through regular filing, which allows a prosecutor to conduct a preliminary investigation. Under this process, there is no arrest and the parties involved are required to submit documents and affidavits within a prescribed period.

The second is through inquest proceedings, which under Philippine law is a summary investigation conducted by a public prosecutor for individuals arrested without a warrant.

The inquest determines whether there is probable cause to continue detention and to file formal charges in court, and whether the warrantless arrest was valid.

On February 12, the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) said the driver of the vehicle that struck the student’s body would undergo inquest proceedings.

By February 13, however, the QCPD confirmed that the driver had been released from police custody.

The incident stemmed from the February 11 tragedy in which the student jumped from the LRT-1 Fernando Poe Jr. Station along corner Muñoz. Authorities have yet to release further details on the circumstances surrounding the case.