The Philippine National Police (PNP) is standing by the statement of the chief of police of General Trias in Cavite denying that the local police imposed severe physical exercises on curfew violators that led to the death of a local resident last week.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said they have already asked the chief of police of General Trias to explain and the latter said that there was no such incident as narrated by the family of Danny Peñaredondo.
“It was the Chief of Police of Gen Trias denying they ever imposed physical exercises on the quarantine violators. We will take his word for that. He even claimed they provided assistance to the victim's family to bring him to the different hospitals,” said Usana.
Peñaredondo was accosted on Wednesday last week for allegedly violating the curfew being implemented by the local police while buying bottled water. His family claimed that he and other violators were subjected to intense physical exercises.
When he was released the following day, his family claimed that the 28-year old Peñaredondo could no longer walk and stand up. He died on April 3.
The incident involving Peñaredondo went viral in the social media after a post by a netizen condemning the local police for imposing punishments that are in violation of human rights.
Usana, however, said that the investigation is ongoing and even called on the other violators who were allegedly punished with Peñaredondo to show up and shed light on the incident.
“If there are witnesses to the contrary, the PNP in the region will be there to get their side for the conduct of investigation,” said Usana.
“The truth must come out. After all, there were seven other quarantine violators referred accordingly by the apprehending barangay officials to the General Trias Police. The investigation can get their side one by one to shed light on the case,” he added.