The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Tuesday ordered a probe into the death of a curfew violator who was forced to do around 300 rounds of pumps in General Trias, Cavite.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told Unang Balita that they are already working with Philippine National Police and the local government of General Trias to look into the incident.
“Nagbigay na po tayo ng direktiba na imbestigahan agad-agad kung meron bang mga paglabag sa protocol o kaya naman nagkaroon ng irregularidad ‘yung ating mga kapulisan,” he said.
(We already gave a directive to immediately investigate if there were violations in protocol or irregularity on the part of the police.)
The victim was identified as Darren Peñaredondo. According to his live-in partner Reichelyn Balce, village watchmen arrested Peñaredondo for violating the curfew on April 1.
She said that the victim only went outside to buy mineral water. He was arrested and brought to the General Trias Police Station.
Balce said the quarantine violators were asked to do pumping exercises 100 times.
DILG orders investigation on death of curfew violator in General Trias, Cavite
However, the cops made them repeat the exercise because they were not in sync until they do almost 300 rounds.
“Tapos pag-uwi niya po ng umaga ng Biyernes, mag-aalas otso ng umaga, akay-akay na po siya ng kasama niyang nahuli sakay ng mobile. Tinanong ko kung nabugbog ba siya, ngumiti lang siya pero halata mong may masakit sa kanya,” she added.
(Then when he came home on Friday, around 8 am, he was assisted by his fellow quarantine violator while inside the mobile. I asked if he was hit, he just smiled but it was obvious he’s in pain.)
The following day, the victim reportedly started having seizures and was rushed to the hospital but later died.
Meanwhile, General Trias police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlo Nillo Solero denied the allegations of Peñaredondo’s family, noting the punishment they give for quarantine violators was community service.
“So sa claim po na pumping, wala po kaming binibigay na ganoong punishment sa kanila. Instead, we’re conducting lectures po (As to the claims of pumping, we don’t give such a punishment. Instead, we conduct lectures),” Solero said in a phone interview with Rappler.