Christoper de Leon and Ronaldo Valdez | Image: @sandy_andolong and @tito.ron.valdez IG
Christopher de Leon slammed the policemen who first responded to the call following Ronaldo Valdez’s tragic death after a video of the actor went viral on social media.
Speaking to Ogie Diaz while promoting his movie with Vilma Santos, “When I Met You in Tokyo,” De Leon said the investigators shouldn’t have leaked the video in the first place, being a sensitive matter. The actor pointed out the negligence of the authorities in handling the situation, saying that this kind of video should only be used for investigative purposes.
“Ang naging problema, the next day, meron akong nakitang video. May video na kumalat na pinakita, hindi dapat pinapakita ng SOCO o kung sino man, ‘yung kumuha, hindi dapat pinayagan,” De Leon said.
The actor further pointed out several lapses that policemen supposedly committed when they responded to the scene, such as the failure of cops to wear gloves.
“Dapat yon for evidence, sa imbestigasyon. Tapos kayo, humahawak kayo ng kung anu anong baril wala kayong suot suot na gloves, so nakita, nakita ‘yung lapses ninyo. So dapat hindi niyo pinalabas ‘yon,” he said.
Idol, icon
In the interview, the actor also reminisced about the time he was able to work with Valdez, who he considers his idol because of the elder actor’s distinct acting style during confrontational scenes.
“We did Banaue. Siya ‘yung kalaban ko sa end part. And I remember that he became my idol when I saw the scene: May kaeksena siya, pansin mo kapag meron siyang kinoconfront nilalapit niya ‘yung mukha,” recalled de Leon, referring to the movie topbilled by Nora Aunor.
Meanwhile, Santos also shared her shock upon learning of the death of the veteran actor.
“Ako, shocked ako, kasi kahit na medyo matagal kaming hindi nagkita napapanood ko siya. And isa siyang actor, alam mo parang si Tito Dolps (Dolphy), ‘yung hanggang huling sandali ibinigay ‘yung buhay sa industriya. For so many years, Tito Eddie Garcia na hanggang mga huling sandali ng buhay nila ibinigay pa rin sa industriya ng pelikula, and for that, institution, icon sila na dapat lang naman talaga naming hangaan at tularan,” she said.
De Leon and Santos are set to mark their reunion movie on the big screen as they headlined their Metro Manila Film Festival entry. It is the former love team’s 25th movie together.