The headline-writer is very up-to-date: He/she must have thought: “Hmm, the lead says ‘almost tagged a suspect’; but we cannot use ‘near-suspect’, or ‘almost suspect’, or ‘ex-future suspect’…”
“Person of interest” is what U.S. police officers use to refer to those who are/ were included in the investigation but not officially considered a suspect; and it’s what American news agencies also use, quoting law-enforcement agencies, to protect themselves from any suit (the word “suspect” has derogatory connotation.) The term has found itself in certain U.S. criminal statutes: “Person in interest shall mean the person who is the primary subject of a criminal justice record”.
Although… I think this is still journalese or legalese or policelese/ coplese, so some journalists put it in quotes, in the same way as “LPA” or “low pressure area” is weatherlese… Now, how to translate that to Filipino… “taong may interes”? “taong pinag-iinteresan”, “taong kamuntik nang pagsuspetsahan”, “taong pwede pang pagsuspetsahan”?… take your pick.
(posted on BB & sent by Facebook thru R last Monday) For students, in case you did not see the notices on the BB and your FB’s, and in case you chance upon this site:
Pls read up on the following: Philosophic basis Abrams vs. US Dissent J. Holmes, U.S. vs. Bustos, Right of access, Valmonte vs. Belmonte, What are public records, and exceptions, Data Privacy Act. Shield Law, In re angel Parazo (see notice on the board or inquire with R. tnx)
