The Caloocan City Police Station on Tuesday, August 5, denied allegations that the death of a 20-year-old college student from leptospirosis was connected to the arrest of his father.

The statement came in response to a viral social media post claiming that the student contracted the disease after repeatedly wading through floodwaters to search for his missing father—who was later discovered to be in police custody for a minor gambling offense.

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According to the police, the student’s illness developed under circumstances unrelated to the police operation.

“Based on verified reports and timelines, the unfortunate death of the youth due to leptospirosis is not related to the arrest of the father. The health-related incident occurred under different circumstances that have no casual connection to the police operation,” the statement said.

In light of questions raised about possible lapses during the arrest, the Caloocan police reiterated their commitment to transparency and accountability. They encouraged the family to file a formal complaint if officers failed to notify them about the arrest, assuring the public of a thorough investigation.

“Any allegation of misconduct will be thoroughly investigated and necessary disciplinary actions will be taken as appropriate,” they said.

The police also confirmed that the station commander and personnel involved in the incident have been temporarily relieved from their posts pending further review.

They further clarified that bail and release procedures fall under the jurisdiction of the courts and the Prosecutor’s Office—not the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“The recommendation for bail and subsequent temporary release of the accused is solely within the jurisdiction of the Prosecutor’s Office and the court. The PNP has no authority or influence over such judicial decisions,” the station said.

In response to other concerns raised in the viral post—such as the proliferation of online gambling—the police noted that these matters fall under the responsibility of other government agencies.

“The PNP’s mandate primarily covers peace and order, crime prevention, and law enforcement,” they stated.

The Caloocan police also urged the public to exercise caution in spreading information online, warning against the dangers of misinformation.

The police extended their condolences to the student’s family.

“We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased youth and assure the community of out continued dedication to serving the people of Caloocan City with integrity and professionalism,” it said.