Cop denies hand in torture incident

A MANILA police commander, who was charged in the infamous “torture video”, denied his involvement in beating a robbery suspect.

Senior Inspector Joselito Binayug, former chief of the Asuncion Police Community Precinct in Tondo, Manila told the Senate inquiry that he was not the man seen beating the suspect. Likewise, he denied knowing who was responsible for it.

“It is not me, your honor. I do not know who it is, sir,” Binayug replied when questioned by Senate Pro Tempore Jose “Jinggoy” Estrada.

But the police officer confirmed that he was the subject of a complaint filed before the Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the controversial case, which has put the spotlight on the police treatment of suspects in their custody.

“Your honor, as mentioned by my superior, it has been filed before the Department of Justice and it is in the proper forum,” he added when repeatedly quizzed by Estrada.

The cellular phone video showed a man lying naked in a fetal position with his genitals tied to a rope. The torturer would occasionally pull the rope and hit the naked man.

But also during the hearing, Southern Police Deputy Director and head of Task Force Asuncion told Estrada that it was indeed Binayug who tortured the victim.

“Siya po (Binayug) ang tinuro ng asawa ng biktima based on the signed statement given to the Philippine National Police,” said Rongavilla.

The wife says her husband, Darius Evangelista, went missing as early as March 3. She has filed before the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) a complaint against Binayug for violating the Anti-Torture Act of 2009.

Aside from Binayug, several policemen assigned to the Asuncion police station was placed on “floating status” by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) while investigations on their involvement was being conducted.

An administrative case was also filed before the National Police Commission. (AH/Sunnex)

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