4 more cops axed over tambay’s death

MANILA, Philippines — Four more police officers were relieved from their posts in connection with the case of Genesis Argoncillo, who was allegedly beaten to death by inmates at the detention cell of a police station in Quezon City.

Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr., director of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD), said yesterday he ordered the relief of Police Community Precinct 3 commander Senior Inspector Cyril Dagusen and Police Officers 1 Ruel Tubat, Paulo Lopez Jr. and Paul Hector Calderon.

Esquivel said the four were the ones who accosted Argoncillo on June 15 for alarm and scandal. They were transferred to the QCPD’s District Headquarters Support Unit at Camp Karingal.

Argoncillo’s kin earlier accused police officers of arresting him during the police drive against loiterers.

Dagusen and his men were subjected to a pre-charge evaluation to determine any administrative liability relative to Argoncillo’s arrest.

“They are under investigation to get to the bottom of things,” Esquivel said in a news forum in Quezon City.

Argoncillo died on June 19 after he was allegedly beaten by fellow detainees in the lock-up cell of QCPD Station 4. Police later charged two detainees with murder for his death.

Esquivel earlier relieved Station 4 commander Superintendent Carlito Grijaldo and four other policemen who were on duty when Argoncillo was reportedly beaten up.

Esquivel said an investigation is ongoing to determine if other inmates at Station 4 took part in Argoncillo’s beating.

Meanwhile, the QCPD reported rounding up 175 loiterers for violating ordinances and other laws from 5 a.m. Friday until 5 a.m. yesterday.

Esquivel said 38 are minors who were “rescued” for violating the city’s curfew ordinance.

Among the other violations are drinking liquor in a public place, smoking in public, walking half-naked along the streets, jaywalking and illegal possession of deadly weapons.