MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) ordered an investigation to the death of an alleged curfew violator in General Trias, Cavite after being given corporal punishment.
DILG is now coordinating with Philippine National Police and the local government of General Trias to investigate the death of Darren Peñaredondo.
Peñaredondo died on Black Saturday after allegedly being forced to do around 300 rounds of a pumping exercise as punishment for violating curfew on Maundy Thursday.
“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,” DILG undersecretary Jonathan Malaya told GMA’s Unang Balita.
DILG is awaiting the results of investigation of the local government of General Trias to the incident.
“The DILG also assured the public that the police personnel involved in the incident will be held accountable if proven that they have committed improper actions on their duty,” Malaya said.
Peñaredondo’s live-in partner, Reichelyn Balce, said the victim was arrested by village watchmen for curfew violation at around 6 p.m. on April 1.
According to her, the victim only went to a nearby sari-sari store to buy mineral water but was arrested and brought to the General Trias Police Station.
Despite Peñaredondo’s claim that he has heart disease, the policemen ordered him to do pumping exercises 100 times with other arrested persons. The police ordered them to repeat because they were not in sync.
“Nag start siyang magkaroon ng seizures noong Sabado then nung dinala namin siya sa hospital, doon na siya binawian ng buhay,” Balce said.
Meanwhile, General Trias’ Police chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlo Solero denied the allegation saying that community service is the only punishment for violators./PN
