A case has been filed against two barangay guards in Calamba City, Laguna who allegedly beat a 26-year-old man curfew violator, something that allegedly killed the victim.
According to the victim’s family lawyer, Atty. Lui Tongson, they filed a homicide case with the Calamba City Prosecutors Office against Arjay Abierta and Jomel Ortiez, a guard of Barangay Turbina.
The victim, Ernanie Jimenez, 26, was arrested past 10 pm for violating the curfew.
But according to representatives of Barangay Turbina, Jimenez was paralyzed after falling while being chased by barangay residents when he tried to flee.
The victim’s relatives denied the barangay’s statement.
Jimenez’s partner saw that the guard kicked him and he fell badly on the cement.
“Kaya alam ko pong masama ‘yung lagay kasi sobrang lakas po ng pagkabagok ng ulo niya, parang inihagis sa building, parang ganoon po, sa sobrang lakas,” said “Maria,” the victime’s live-in partner.
Some eyewitnesses also tried to stop the alleged assault but the barangay residents did not stop.
2 barangay guards who beat curfew violator charged with homicide
A CT scan of the victim showed a fracture or crack in the back of his skull but the autopsy has not yet come out so it cannot be said whether it was due to slipping or kicking.
The 2 barangay personnel strongly denied that they kicked or beat the curfew violator. He allegedly fell into drunkenness three times.
The curfew violator’s father, Juanito Jimenez Jr. appealed for the suspects to surrender.
“Doon sa dalawang tanod, kung kayo po ay nakokosensiya, kayo ay sumuko na dahil ‘yung ginawa niya sa anak ko ay karumal-dumal yun,” said Jimenez Jr.
The victim’s family is also studying the administrative charges against the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) against barangay chairman of Turbina Rodel Manalo for allegedly neglecting to take the victim to the hospital.
“May mga instances kasi na parang ginigipit sila during the morning of April 8, kasi when then ambulance was used by the family, the barangay insistently kinukulit sila na ibalik na ‘yung ambulansya despite the fact na kailangan pang itransfer ‘yung biktima from JP Hospital to Calamba Medical Center so napilitan and pamilya na ibalik ‘yung ambulansya .May mga lapses sa duty si kapitan,” said Tongson.