The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is calling for an impartial investigation on the deaths of former Ozamiz City councilor Ricardo "Ardot" Parojinog and his elder sister Melodina Parojinog Malingin, which took place just two days apart.
Ardot died in his detention cell in Ozamiz police station on September 4. Citing results of a medical examination, Brig. Gen. Rolando Anduyan said the cause of death was "cardiopulmonary arrest secondary to cardiovascular disease."
Prior to his death, Ardot was detained at the Philippine National Police (PNP) Custodial Center in Camp Crame, Quezon City, and was only flown to Ozamiz on September 3 to attend a hearing.
Meanwhile, his sister Melodina had been in detention in Ozamiz City since 2017. She passed away at the MHARS Medical Center due to "cardiogenic shock secondary to intractable cardiac arrhythmia atrial fibrillation to ventricular tachycardia," her attending physicians said.
CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia said that Ardot and Melodina are siblings of Ozamiz City Mayor Reynaldo “Aldong” Parojinog who was killed together with 15 others in a police raid back in July, 2017. The Parojinogs have been tagged as politicians involved in the illegal drug trade.
But despite their reported link to illegal drugs, De Guia said the government has the obligation to guarantee the dignity and rights of persons in custody.
"The life and physical integrity of persons deprived of liberty (PDL) is the responsibility of detaining authorities," she said. "Regardless of the presumed cause, death under custody necessitates an independent investigation. This helps prevent similar incidents from happening while ensuring the security of other prisoners."
De Guia said that an "impartial investigation" must immediately be conducted to conclusively determine the cause of death. In doing so, any doubts as to inadequate care, ill-treatment, or foul play will be dispelled.
She added that the families of Ardot and Melodina deserve to be given impartial and objective information concerning their deaths, while the public needs to know that jail authorities are upholding their obligations to PDLs.
"Given these incidents and other previous reports of deaths in detention, we remind the government and concerned agencies of their obligation to protect the rights and dignity of detainees," said De Guia.
"Considering that they are deprived of liberty, control, and responsibility of their fate relies on detaining authorities and all those in-charge of managing detention facilities. Preventing deaths in detention is a key part of this obligation," she added.
The CHR will also conduct an independent probe.