Family suspects ‘torture’ on death of kin

ONE of the alleged illegal drug dealers and a primary suspect of the shooting that killed a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agent during a drug-bust operation in Cagayan de Oro City died on Sunday.

Ibrahim Zafar died of alleged infection after undergoing surgery sans the family’s awareness.

Zafar, who was under PDEA’s watchlist, together with five other suspects were detained at PDEA’s regional detention cell in this city since December 15.

Mike Zafar, Ibrahim’s brother, believes his brother was tortured several times after he was suspected of shooting Genita during the drug-bust operation.

“I believe that he was tortured based on the marks all over his body. It’s not fair and just because even if a person is notorious, one has the right to undergo due process and they (PDEA-10) have no right to put the law into their hands. It’s an intentional killing. Yes, I understand the Genita family is grieving, but no one can prove that my brother killed Genita. He was at that time 10 meters away from Genita, so it’s impossible that he did it,” Mike said.

‘Not informed about the surgery’

Mombao Zafar, Ibrahim’s wife, said she failed to see her husband twice since PDEA-10 took Ibrahim under its custody.

She was compelled to leave the food she brought for Ibrahim to the attending personnel of PDEA-10 because Ibrahim was not allowed to see visitors.

Maira Zafar, Ibrahim’s daughter, said her mother went to PDEA-10 office at 2 p.m. on December 21, but when she arrived she was informed that Ibrahim was sent to Northern Mindanao Medical Center for surgery.

“No one had asked us for our approval on the surgery nor had informed us about it. My mother did not even know that my father had problems in the stomach, which we believe is a trumped-up story. Once and for all, we were not informed about the surgical operation or any other hospitalization matters,” Maira said.

“Isn’t it a protocol to ask the family or relative before conducting any surgical procedure?” she added.

‘Torture allegations untrue’

“It’s not true that we tortured Ibrahim. In fact, we brought him to the hospital through the help of the Oro Rescue at 8 p.m. on December 19 because he (Ibrahim) said that his stomach was aching. We tried to contact Ibrahim’s family on Friday. Do you think we can torture Ibrahim in this kind of detention cell?” Emerson Margate PDEA1- regional director said.

“He fell during the raid and that caused the marks found on his body,” he added referring to the family’s allegation that the marks found on Ibrahim’s body were torture marks.

According to Margate, PDEA-10 imposes visiting schedule with its detainees and it can possibly be waived only on urgent matters.

“The family of Ibrahim must know that there are visiting hours intended for them. We won’t prohibit them to see him (Ibrahim) if they follow the visiting hours,” he added.

“We, in PDEA, are very careful because it is very difficult to imprison an innocent person. You will carry it throughout your life if you detain someone guiltless. We found shabu and a .45 caliber gun in his (Ibrahim) possession that proves he is not innocent in the matter,” Margate clarified.

When asked on the cause of Ibrahim’s death, a certain Dr. Bagas, whose name was written on the note found on Ibrahim’s body at the morgue, declined to answer unless this paper writes a letter addressed to the director of the hospital. (Roshelle Novie L. Cabrido/MUST Intern)

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