Thursday, October 02, 2008 Human rights body to probe fatal mauling in PNP station
THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Southern Mindanao will investigate the mauling incident inside a detention cell in Davao City that resulted to the death of a detainee at the Talomo Police Station.
In an interview with Sun.Star Davao, CHR-Southern Mindanao chief, lawyer Alberto Sipaco Jr., said they are going to look into the incident after the wife of the victim approached him seeking help on the issue for fear that the internal investigation being conducted by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) will be "whitewashed".
Sipaco added that based on the affidavits submitted by the wife of the victim and of the police officer, they will determine if there is probable cause for them to recommend the filing of criminal charges against the police officer being complained about.
Ludovico Marcelo, a barangay police, was allegedly mauled by co-prisoners upon the orders of a police officer in the Talomo Police Station. Reports obtained by Sun.Star Davao showed that Marcelo, while in custody of the police, had an altercation with a police officer of Talomo Police Station whom Marcelo kicked.
In revenge, the police officer ordered the prisoners to maul Marcelo. When the wife visited Marcelo the following day, she found him already unable to stand and suffering from bruises. He died three days after.
Senior Superintendent Ramon Apolinario, chief of DCPO, has already ordered the Internal Affairs Services to conduct an investigation on the matter.
The city police chief also ordered the renovation of the precinct cell of the Talomo Police Station, allowing the people in the lobby area to see the goings-on inside the detention cell. (CPM)
