By MARC JAYSON CAYABYAB – With Janvic Mateo MPD open to probe of detainee’s killing

The Manila Police District is open to the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) investigating the death of a detainee, the second one in a week, to dispel claims of extrajudicial killings, an official said yesterday.

“I am encouraging the CHR to be in our stations 24/7 if need be,” Manila Police District (MPD) director Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. told The STAR in an interview.

Robbery suspect Enrique Lugtu Jr. was shot dead by police after he allegedly grabbed the 9mm Glock 17 service pistol of Cpl. Analyn San Victores while he was being booked at the Sta. Cruz police station on Friday.

After he failed to fire the gun, which was not loaded at the time, Lugtu was shot dead by Cpl. Chrisnel Vidanes, who saw the incident, the MPD said in its report.

Danao stood by the story that Lugtu was killed for resisting law enforcers.

Lugtu allegedly pushed manicurist Emelyta Leynes out of the jeepney when she refused to give up her belongings while he was robbing the vehicle’s passengers in Barangay 371 last May 26. Leynes died four days after the incident.

In a television interview, jeepney driver Geoffrey Magdadaro admitted conspiring with Lugtu in robbing the passengers that night. Lugtu denied the allegation.

Lugtu is the second suspect who died in police custody in the past week. Last Wednesday, Carl Bañanola, the suspect in the brutal killing of elderly couple Nicolas and Leonora Austria at their residence in Quezon City, was killed inside a police vehicle after undergoing inquest.

The CHR has said it will investigate the suspect’s death in police custody.

“In service of justice, CHR will also look into the death of the elderly couple as part of protecting the rights of vulnerable and marginalised Filipinos. At the same time, there are questions about the death of Bañanola that also need to be settled,” CHR spokesperson Jacqueline de Guia said in a statement.