Despite appearing before authorities on Wednesday, controversial suspect Jose Antonio Sanvicente, who went viral in a hit-and-run with a guard in Mandaluyong, has yet to be placed in the custody of the Philippine National Police. This was confirmed by PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo in a media interview on Thursday.

“Wala na pong legal ground ang PNP para ipasailaim sa aming kostodiya ang nasabing respondent po dahil nga po tumatakbo na ang legal process,” Fajardo explains.

“Simply put po, kaya po siya nakauwi kahapon, ay wala pong existing warrant of arrest para po sa kanya.”

“At naisampa na po natin ‘yung kaso (Frustrated Murder), at ito pong kaso niya ay hindi na po papasok doon sa mga instances wherein we could effect a warrantless arrest.”

When addressed yesterday by PNP officer-in-charge Lt. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. Sanvicente at Camp Crame, apologizing to Christian Floralde, who was hit twice and rolled over by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) on June 5th. The suspect’s camp, who acknowledged to his actions, stated that he was simply afraid and bewildered when everything happened, so he fled.

“Bukas po ay inaasahan po natin, base sa commitment ng kanyang lawyer, ay magpapakita po sila at lalahok po sa naka-schedule na prelimiary investigation,” Fajardo added.

“At inaasahan po natin na magpapakita po roon si Jose Antonio Sanvicente kasama ‘yung kanyang abogado para mag-submit ng kanilang counter-affidavit base na rin po sa ating isinampang kaso.”

According to the police, it is up to the prosecutor’s office to determine what to do with Sanvicente. If “probable cause” is discovered, the prosecutor will file paperwork with the court. If a warrant of arrest is obtained, the court will select where to raffle the case.

Many netizens were disappointed with the PNP’s handling of the case, particularly because, unlike other suspects, Sanvicente was permitted to conduct a calm press briefing.

That is Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III’s response to what is currently happening.

“Kapag mahirap nagnakaw ng bayabas kulong agad! What’s happening to our country Mr President? ” he said this morning in a tweet.

“The Anti Drunk and Drugged Driving Law mandates a Drug test for those involved in accidents. Do not violate the law! “

Even that Fajardo claimed that Sanvicente no longer had to submit to a mandatory drug test since the matter was not “drug-related.”

He also stated that the suspect received no special treatment while all of this was going on.