Lim orders probe on alleged torture by Manila cops

MANILA, Philippines - Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim yesterday ordered an investigation into the reported torture of two apprehended suspects to force them to admit to several robbery cases.

Lim said torture or any other form of human rights violation, is never to be tolerated in any institution, especially by policemen, who are mandated to defend the rights of the citizens.

But he said the side of Manila Police District (MPD) policemen being accused of torture must also be heard.

In the presence of representatives from the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) and the National Police Commission, Jerry Diaz, 38, and Rommel Perez, 30, pointed to Police Officers 1 Lester Caquintuan, Richard Closa, Andres Nunez and Christopher Duran as the policemen who beat them up with a rattan cane and pour boiling oil on parts of their bodies following their arrest on the early morning of Aug. 11.

The accusers, both members of the jailhouse gang “Sputnik,” claimed they were tortured inside the detention cell of Police Outpost 11 in Blumentritt in Sta. Cruz while the accused policemen tried to make them confess into several robbery cases in the area.

Diaz showed the scalding on his right shoulder as a result of the boiling oil poured on him, while Perez sustained scaldings on his left ear, face and back. The two heavily tattooed accusers claimed they were also hit with rattan cane on their feet and back.

Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent James Afalla immediately disarmed the four rookie cops and ordered their transfer at the Manila Police District’s headquarters support unit pending the result of investigation.

Records showed Diaz and Perez were charged with robbery holdup for their alleged involvement in several snatching incidents and are presently detained at the station’s jail.

Police records also showed the two suspects are facing several robbery holdup cases.

Afalla gave assurance that he will not condone any wrongdoing by his men, and will fully cooperate with the investigation of the CHR.

“I will not tolerate any form of abuse committed by my men. They have to suffer the consequences if they committed abuse against the suspects,” Afalla said.

He said he also provided medical treatment to the complainants. – Sandy Araneta, Nestor Etolle