The police chief of General Trias City in Cavite was relieved from his post following the death of a curfew violator who received an excessive punishment.
Philippine National Police (PNP) said Wednesday that two quarantine violators testified that the police in said station led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlo Solero subject curfew violators to physical exercise as punishment.
Solero has previously denied the allegation and claimed they only asked violators to conduct community service.
“Cavite PPO has relieved the COP of Gen Trias after finding out that 2 of the quarantine violators executed sworn affidavits that they indeed were made to do physical exercises (knee bender) by two GT policemen earlier relieved pending the investigation,” the PNP said.
Reichelyn Balce, the live-in partner of the victim, Darren Peñaredondo, confirmed to GMA News Online that her partner’s died of “cerebrovascular infarct midbrain.”
However, she added that the antecedent cause of death was “hypertensive cardiovascular disease.”
Meanwhile, Alias ”Eugene,” one of the curfew violators arrested in Barangay Tejero, Gen. Trias City, Cavite, detailed the severe punishment imposed on them by the police, allegedly causing the death of Peñaredondo.
General Trias police chief relieved following death of curfew violator
According to Eugene, it was Thursday when they were picked up and taken to Gen. Trias police station. He was accompanied by another curfew violator, Darren Peñaredondo.
After giving them a lecture on the COVID-19 guidelines, the police allegedly exercised them, such as squats, which he counted more than 100 times.
They said they finished the exercise order and slept in the plaza, but the next morning they felt pain in the body.
Peñaredondo had to be led by his comrades because of his difficulty in moving.
Peñaredondo was even videotaped by his partner on Friday where you can see the pain his body is experiencing.
On Saturday, he was rushed to hospital after suffering a stroke. The victim later passed away.
“Sobrang nakakabigla. Masakit… Marami pa kaming balak sa buhay… Nagagalit din sa mga taong gumawa niyan sa kanya. Kasi kung hindi pinagod nang husto ang karelasyon ko, siguro naman hindi siya magkakaganyan,” said Reichelyn Balce.