MANILA, Philippines — The police on Friday said it will pursue the filing of murder charges against the suspects identified in the killing of Genesis “Tisoy” Argoncillo, who died while in detention.
In a press briefing, Quezon City Police District Director Chief Supt. Joselito Esquivel announced that Argoncillo was killed by fellow detainees after initially saying that the 25-year-old man died from shortness of breath.
Esquivel identified the suspects as Richard Bautista and Justin Mercado, alleged members of Sputnik Gang.
Three witnesses detained at QCPD Station 4 in Novaliches identified that the two suspects beat up Argoncillo.
“Murder will be filed against them because of the use of superior strength,” he said.
Authorities earlier said that Argoncillo died after he complained of shortness of breath. He was arrested in an anti-loitering operation for being shirtless in a public place.
Autopsy report, however, showed the cause of death was multiple blunt force trauma to the neck, head, chest and upper extremities.
Quezon City’s top cop denied allegation of cover up.
“We did not change the tune. We reported information as it happened, as it came to us,” Esquivel said.
Five cops from the Novaliches Police Station, including the police commander in charge, were sacked following the controversial death of Argoncillo.
“We will investigate everyone involved, including the police on duty, until the truth comes out and prosecute the guilty to the full extent of the law,” Esquivel said.
The Commission of Human Rights has already started a probe into Argoncillo’s death.
READ: CHR probes death of ‘tambay’ in jail