(Eagle News) — The Commission on Human Rights said an investigation into the possible liability of policemen in the death of detainee Genesis Argoncillo is already underway.
“Sa pagkakataong may malinaw na paglabag sa batas, pinapaalalahan ng CHR ang kapulisan na kahit ang mga nakabilanggo o persons deprived of liberty ay may mga karapatang kailangan pangalagaan,” CHR spokesperson Jackie de Guia said in a statement.
According to De Guia, police negligence that led to a detainee’s death was tantamount to torture under Republic Act 9745 and Convention Against Torture.
The CHR’s investigation would be apart from the investigation the Quezon City Police District said it would conduct.
So far, QCPD director Joselito Esquivel Jr. said five policemen have been sacked pending the inquiry into their possible administrative liability.
Sacked were Supt. Carlito Grijaldo, station 4 commander; on-duty jail guard P03 Dennis Saño; the desk officer and the shift patrol supervisor.
He said murder charges were also slated to be filed against detainees Richard Bautista and Justin Mercado, who he said mauled Argoncillo to death based on the statements of three witnesses.
