Bayan Muna Representative Ferdinand Gaite assailed on Tuesday, April 27, the Ombudsman's decision to dismiss charges against the policemen who were involved in keeping 12 detainees inside a "secret cell" in Tondo, Manila in 2017.
Gaite called for an immediate review of the Office of the Ombudsman's (OMB) ruling.
"Impunity has been bolstered yet again. This decision needs to be challenged and reviewed asap. We agree with the assertion of the Commission on Human Rights that the video they submitted clearly and undeniably show that there are violations," he said in a statement.
The decision, according to the progressive lawmaker, would only encourage human rights violations in the Philippines.
"Ganitong pagpapalusot sa mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao ang talagang nagpapalakas sa loob ng mga otoridad na ipagpatuloy lang ang kanilang mga (Such acquittal of human rights violations will encourage authorities to continued their) wicked ways, to continue the lawlessness that rules the regime's war on drugs," Gaite lamented.
"Dapat tuldukan na itong laganap na paglabag sa karapatang pantao ng rehimen, at magsisimula 'yan kung mapaparusahan ang mga dapat maparusahan (We should put a stop to this widespread violation of human rights, and this would only be stopped if those who must be punished are punished)," he added.
The OMB cleared former Raxabago station commander PLtCol. Robert Domingo, PCpl. Dylan Verdan, Pat. Berly Apolonio, and PMSgt. Jonathan Ubarre.
"It is beyond dispute that the 12 newly-arrested persons were detaied inside a cramped space. However, there is no showing that respondents did so in bad faith," it said.
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR), which filed the criminal and administrative charges against the cops, should have proven that the respondents intentionally and maliciously put the detainees in the cramped space inside the station, the OMB further said.
The CHR found the dark, narrow cell behind a book shelf in the Manila Police District's Raxabago Station in April, 2017.
It described the cell as "cramped, dingy, fetid and dark". There was also only one male urinal, forcing some of the detainees to urinate and defecate in bags.
The constitutional body also argued that the names of the detainees were not recorded and that they were unlawfully arrested for supposedly violating the Republic Act No. 9165 or Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
"This cell isn't fit for any living being much less for humans. Talagang (It was really) inhumane, it is really torturous," Gaite said.
"Nakikiusap tayo sa Office of the Ombudsman na tumindig sa tama, tumindig para sa karapatang pantao, at panagutin ang mga dapat managot (We appeal to the Office of the Ombudsman to stand up for what is right, stand up for human rights and hold those responsible accountable for their actions)," he appealed.