House eyes probe into killing of QC loiterer

Administration allies in the House of Representatives are supporting the move to investigate the death of 22year-old Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo, who lost his life shortly after being arrested by police for loitering.

Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Johnny Pimentel and AKO-Bicol Party-List Rep. Rodel Batocabe both raised suspicions on the circumstances surrounding Argoncillo’s death, which occurred amid the government’s crackdown against “tambays.”

The two congressmen are part of the vast pro-administration coalition in the Chamber that is led by President Duterte’s own Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban).

“Yes of course it must be investigated because the cause of death was highly suspicious,” said Pimentel, chairman of the House Committee on Good Government and Public Accountability. “The culprits must be punished,” he added.

Batocabe, head of the 46-strong Party-List Coalition echoed this by saying that there are “more questions than answers” in the Argoncillo case, and that it “affects the credibility of our police and penal system.”

Congressmen who authored the proposed congressional inquiry are not buying police claims that the arrested street loiterer was killed by fellow detainees in a Quezon City police station detention cell.

Reps. Carlos Isagani Zarate (Bayan Muna) and Christopher Belmonte (LP, Quezon City) expressed fears of a cover up in the June 17 death of Argoncillo whose body bore signs of foul play.

“There is definitely a disconnect between the statement of the QCPD and the medico-legal chief of the PNP. Now the QCPD is saying that Tisoy was beaten up by the other detainees.From all indications, it seems that the QCPD is trying to cover up the real story behind Tisoy’s death,” Zarate said.

Crime map

At the Senate, Sen. Richard Gordon said law enforcement authorities should come up with crime maps to better identify the areas where there are higher chances of real criminals loitering if they are to insist on enforcing the campaign against loiterers.

At the same time, law enforcers should advise citizens against loitering in areas where crime rates are high, reiterating the importance of having a crime map.

“Policemen could also put more effort kung saan may mga crimes, doon sila mag-operate as a deterrent. Kaya dapat may crime map,” Gordon said. (With a report from Hannah L. Torregoza)