Rights watchdog seeks probe of theft suspect’s death

MANILA, Philippines — International watchdog Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for an investigation into the alleged fatal beating of a suspected thief in Southern Leyte while under police custody.

“Philippine authorities need to ensure that police officers are held accountable and that laws prohibiting police abuse are upheld,” HRW-Asia Division senior researcher Carlos Conde said in a press statement.

S/ Sgt. Ronald Gamayon of the Southern Leyte provincial police beat Gilbert Ranes on a busy street in Maasin City on Dec. 9, videos that went viral showed.

Gamayon, an intelligence officer, was off-duty and wearing civilian clothes, the HRW said.

Ranes died while being treated in a hospital.

The HRW said another video showed three men in civilian clothes and a policeman in uniform dragging Ranes into a police vehicle.

A bystander was heard in the video saying Ranes was being treated “like a pig.”

“Ranes’ family deserves justice and a thorough and impartial investigation should be undertaken into his apparent wrongful death in police custody,” Conde said.

Ranes died from “severe head trauma,” according to a report released by the Southern Leyte police.

Col. Hector Enage, provincial police director, said Gamayon was responding to complaints from neighbors that Ranes had stolen a mobile phone.

He said Gamayon had no previous record of misconduct.

“We’re not sure what made him (Gamayon) decide to inflict injury on the suspect,” Enage said.

He said charges are being readied against Gamayon while four other policemen are being investigated for their role in the beating.

“We are certain there were lapses,” Enage said.