In a stunning turn of events that has captured the nation’s attention, the beloved social media personality and street food vendor known as “Diwata,” whose real name is Deo Balbuena, was thrust from the familiar sizzle of their popular food stall into the cold, unforgiving reality of a jail cell. The charge? A minor city ordinance violation in a city they claim to have never even set foot in. Now, after a harrowing ordeal of mistaken identity, a night spent in detention, and a frantic scramble for bail money, Diwata is crying out for justice, taking their incredible story to the one man they believe can help untangle this web of confusion: Raffy Tulfo.

The nightmare began on the evening of October 7th, when officers arrived at Diwata’s home in General Trias, Cavite. They weren’t there to sample the famous beef pares; they were there to serve a warrant of arrest. A state of disbelief washed over the popular vendor as they were informed that they were wanted for a violation—improperly disposing of trash—that had occurred in Mandaluyong City. For Diwata, this was not just a mistake; it was an impossibility. Their entire life and business are anchored in Pasay, miles away from Mandaluyong, a place they insist is entirely foreign to them. How could they be accused of a crime in a place they’ve never been?

Despite their protestations and the sheer absurdity of the situation, the warrant was official. Left with no other choice, Diwata complied and was taken into custody. Because the arrest happened at night, the process to post bail was delayed, forcing the street food icon to endure the indignity and fear of a night in a detention facility. The following day, they were finally able to secure their temporary freedom by posting a PHP 3,000 bail. While the amount may seem trivial to some, for a small business owner whose livelihood depends on daily earnings, it represented a significant and unjust financial blow, not to mention the emotional toll and damage to their reputation.

Seeking to clear their name and understand how such a catastrophic error could have occurred, Diwata immediately reached out to the renowned public service program hosted by Raffy Tulfo. In a detailed interview, they recounted the entire ordeal, explaining the shock and humiliation of being treated like a criminal for something they did not do. The story that emerged was a classic, yet terrifying, case of stolen identity.

As the investigation on Tulfo’s program unfolded, a clearer picture began to form. A patrolman involved in the original incident in Mandaluyong was brought in to explain their side. The officer recounted an encounter with five individuals who were drinking in public. While four of them promptly presented their identification, one person was initially uncooperative. Eventually, this individual produced an ID bearing the name Deo “Diwata” Balbuena. However, the photograph on the ID was reportedly damaged and obscured, making a positive identification impossible. Crucially, when the officer attempted to take a photo of the ID for their records, the individual refused, a move that prevented the collection of clear evidence.

The officer was adamant about one thing: the person they cited that day was not the famous Diwata they recognized from social media. This confirmed Diwata’s worst fears—someone else had used their name. An unknown individual had leveraged Diwata’s identity, likely through a lost or stolen ID, and in doing so, had passed their legal troubles onto an innocent person. While the real violator walked away, the real Diwata was arrested, spent a night in jail, paid for bail, and had their thriving business brought to a sudden halt.

The incident has sparked a firestorm of public debate, raising serious questions about police procedure and the safeguards in place to prevent such devastating cases of mistaken identity. During the program, Raffy Tulfo heavily scrutinized the actions of the officers involved, both in Mandaluyong and Cavite. He questioned why the arresting officer in Mandaluyong did not take more definitive steps to verify the identity of the person they were citing, especially when the ID was damaged and the individual was uncooperative. Furthermore, he pointed out a severe lack of due diligence from the officers who served the warrant. Tulfo argued that a simple phone call to the original arresting officer in Mandaluyong could have clarified the situation and prevented the wrongful arrest of a well-known public figure.

This case highlights a frightening vulnerability in the justice system: without proper and thorough verification, anyone can fall victim to identity theft with severe legal consequences. Diwata’s story is a stark reminder of the plight faced by countless ordinary, less-known individuals who may not have the platform or resources to fight back. As Diwata themselves pointed out, if this could happen to them, a person with a significant public following, what chance does a poorer, unknown citizen have? They could languish in jail for weeks or months, unable to afford bail or legal representation, all because of a clerical error or procedural oversight.

Diwata has declared their intention to press charges against the individual who used their name, should they be found. The experience has transformed them from a cheerful food vendor into an outspoken advocate for systemic change. They are using their platform to call for greater accountability and more stringent verification protocols within law enforcement to ensure that no one else has to suffer the same fate. This shocking incident is no longer just about a mistaken arrest; it is a powerful call to action to protect the innocent and uphold the integrity of the entire justice system. The nation now watches, waiting to see if Diwata will get the justice they deserve and if their ordeal will become the catalyst for much-needed reform.