THE National Police Commission (Napolcom) said that its investigating team has identified the man in the video that was being “tortured” by a Manila policeman.
“The one who was tortured was already dead. In fact, nakaburol sya ngayon,” said Napolcom Vice Chairman and Executive Officer Eduardo Escueta. He however refused to name the victim for the "security" of his surviving relatives.
“We were able to get permission from the family to get the body autopsied, and they agreed,” he added.
The actual autopsy on the body was conducted Thursday, according to the official, adding that Napolcom is now awaiting its results.
“We would like to give the victim’s family the preference to file charges against these police officers. If not, then we will file it in their behalf,” he said.
The video shows a man whipping the naked victim’s face while pulling a rope tied to the latter’s sexual organ. The incident reportedly took place at police community precinct (PCP) in Asuncion, Tondo.
“The man was a resident of the same area in Tondo,” Escueta said.
Fourteen members of that police station headed by its commander, Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug, have already been relieved from their post.
Escueta pointed out that Napolcom’s probe would be independent from those conducted by the Philippine National Police and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR).
The Office of the Ombudsman is also conducting a separate probe on the incident.
“Napolcom’s duty is to look into the police’s actuations and possible anomalies in the case," Escueta pointed out.(AH/Sunnex)