A WARRANT has been issued by the Quezon City Regional Trial Court for the arrest of Arnel Pineda, the internationally acclaimed lead singer of the rock band Journey.
The warrant compels Pineda to appear for the arraignment of a domestic case filed against him by his estranged wife.
The warrant was issued after Pineda repeatedly failed to attend scheduled arraignments. Presiding Judge Mary Ayn Punzalan-Toribio of the Quezon City Regional Trial Court Branch 99 found probable cause based on the case filed by the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office, alleging violations of the Anti-Violence Against Women and Their Children Act of 2004 (Republic Act no. 9262), also known as the VAWC law.
The case against Pineda involves accusations of marital infidelity and psychological abuse, as defined under Section 5 of the VAWC law.
These accusations include acts causing mental or emotional anguish to a woman or her child, such as public ridicule, repeated verbal and emotional abuse, and denial of financial support or custody.
While the case is bailable, authorities were unable to locate Pineda at his residence when attempting to serve the warrant on Friday, September 12. A hearing scheduled for September 11 was also missed by Pineda, despite assurances from his legal team that he would attend, leading the judge to reiterate the bench warrant.
