Family seeks justice for MPD detainee’s death

The family of a 21-year-old detainee is seeking justice after he died in police custody in Quiapo, Manila, reportedly after being beaten by police officers and forced to admit he was a drug user. In an interview with GMA

News yesterday, Aaron Rafael said he visited his brother Allan at the Barbosa police precinct on Sunday and was told Allan had been slapped and beaten up by police officers at the precinct.

Aaron said Allan was undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

Allan was arrested on Aug. 3 for breach of peace and possession of illegal drugs after he had an altercation with his boarding house mate Sherwin Angeles.

Allan was rushed to a hospital on Monday due to breathing diffulties but was declared dead on arrival.

The National Bureau of Investigation autopsy report stated Allan died of cardiorespiratory arrest.

Senior Inspector Rommel Anicete, Manila Police District chief homicide investigator, denied the family’s allegation that Allan was beaten up by police officers and that the body was embalmed without the family’s consent.

Anicete said the body was only half-embalmed to prevent it from decaying.

The Commission on Human Rights asked the Philippine National Police to investigate the detainee’s death.