CHR opens probe into det ai nee's death

THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has started its investigation into the possible liability of the police in the death of Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo while in detention at the Novaliches Police Station.

“Kasalukuyan nang iniimbestigahan ng CHR ang kaso ni Genesis Argoncillo para alamin ang mga posibleng pananagutan ng kapulisan sa insidenteng ito,” said CH spokesperson Jackie de Guia in a statement.

“Patuloy rin ang pagsasagawa ng CHR ng regular jail visitations sa iba’t ibang lock-up cells sa bansa, alinsunod sa mandato nito,” she added.

Argoncillo was arrested on Friday, June 15, allegedly over alarm and scandal. He was detained at the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) station 4 in Novaliches.

However, on June 19, police said he was brought to the hospital after complaining of difficulty breathing. He was pronounced dead at around 5:15 a.m. of June 19.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel said blamed the congestion at the detention facility for Argoncillo's death. He initially ruled out the possible mauling of the victim.

He said attending physician Jethiel Fabon who examined Argoncillo “certified that there were no visible signs of external injuries in the victim’s body.”

In a press conference on Friday, June 21, Esquivel said following the conduct of in depth investigation and the autopsy on the victim’s body, it was found that he died of “multiple blunt force trauma in the neck, head, chest and upper extremit i es. ”

He said they have already identified the two detainees involved in Argoncillo’s mauling which resulted in his death--Richard Bautista and Justin Mercado.

Marilou Argoncillo, brother of Genesis, refused to believe that there were no policemen involved in her brother’s death.

She also maintained that her brother was arrested for loitering shirtless during the police anti-tambay operations and not because of causing trouble in their community.

Meanwhile, De Guia reminded the PNP that even prisoners have their rights.

“Hindi krimen ang pagtambay at hindi lahat ng nakatambay ay kriminal. At 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,” she sai d.

(Loitering is not a crime and not all loiterers are criminals. In cases where there is clear violation of the law, the CHR reminds the police that even those in detention or persons deprived of liberty have rights that should be uphel d.)

“Ang masamang kalagayan sa mga preso, kabilang ang anumang kalabisan, kakulangan, at/o kapabayaan na magreresulta sa injuries, kabilang ang pagkamatay ng isang nakabilanggo, ay maaaring ituring na torture o cruel, inhumane, at degrading treatment o punishment, ayon sa RA 9745 at Convention against Torture na n i l agdaan ng gobyerno,” she added.

(The poor condition of detainees that result in injuries or death of the detainee may be considered as torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment, based on RA 9745 at Convention against Torture to which the Philippine government is a signatory.) (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/ SunStar Philippines)