Addict beaten to death in Caloocan

A mother, who has ran out of choices in reining in her shabu-addicted son, now regrets having sent him to the care of barangay officials some four days ago in Caloocan City.

These same officials are now in trouble after crime lab experts led by Senior Inspector Rio Gatacilo, Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) chief, said Rene Mendello, 34, married, of Block 33L, Lot 17, Phase 3F, Kaunlaran Village in Caloocan City, succumbed to severe physical injuries leading to his death while under their care.

Barangay 12 chairman Conrado Cruz said Mendello, who was detained four days ago for creating trouble in their house, was allegedly found already dead by a certain Danilo Nakot in a cell at the Barangay 12 Hall (Zone 1, District 2) yesterday.

PO2 Joel Montebon, officer on case, said the officials told him they "found" Mendello already lifeless as they allegedly roused him from sleep to take his breakfast at around nine in the morning.

It was gathered that Lucresia Mendello, the victim’s mother, last July 13, had her addict-son held at the Barangay Hall for allegedly making trouble while under the influence of a deadly mix of alcohol and shabu. She thoughts it was the safest place for her son to be. She had it all wrong.

Witnesses told probers that in the four days that the victim was detained at the Barangay Hall, the victim was allegedly heard going wild. A barangay official who requested not to be named said he did not know that the victim was ever tortured or mauled while in the custody of the still unnamed officials.

Senior Inspector Filemon Porciuncula, MD, SOCO medico-legal officer, said the victim died of "respiratory failure secondary to massive pulmonary contusion" indicating he was tortured or suffered severe physical battering leading to his death. Porciuncula said the victim showed bruises and contusions in several parts of his body including burns suspected to have been caused by lighted cigarettes. – Jerry Botial