12 police officers charged with death of man in custody
Published Aug 26, 2025 01:07 pm
Twelve police officers are facing criminal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide following the death of a man who was creating a disturbance at a convenience store.
The police statement on the relief and filing of charges against 12 law enforcers responsible for the death of a man in custody. (Photo from Pasay City Police)
According to Pasay City Police Chief Col. Joselito De Sesto, six personnel from Pasay City Police Substation 5; five from the Southern Police District Mobile Force Battalion (SPD-MFB), and one from the National Capital Region Police Office Mobile Force Battalion (NCRPO MFB), were charged before the Pasay City Prosecutors Office of reckless imprudence resulting to homicide.
De Sesto said the policemen responded after a man, reportedly from Pampanga, was reported by a convenience store employee to be creating a disturbance and damaging property inside their store last August 5.
He said the victim was rushed to the Pasay City General Hospital after complaining of difficulty in breathing while undergoing investigation at the Pasay City Police Substation 5.
Initial findings on the death of the victim showed that he died from a heart attack, but the forensic examination showed that the cause of death was asphyxia due to manual strangulation.
The city police chief said the 12 police officers were immediately relieved and reassigned to their respective administrative holding units while investigations are ongoing on the death of the victim.
De Sesto clarified that the finding does not necessarily mean the victim was strangled by hand.
He said the death was likely caused by pressure on the neck from being restrained, adding that the victim also had bleeding in his lungs and brain.
The city police chief said that all 12 officers have been charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide while the two officers who physically restrained the victim face additional charges for maltreatment of prisoners.
De Sesto reminded police commanders to monitor their officers closely during arrests and said that if the suspect is already restrained, there is no need to use excessive force.
“The Pasay City Police Station reiterates its firm stance against any form of abuse or misconduct. We assure the public that the investigation is impartial, and those found accountable will face the full force of the law. Justice for the victim and his family remains our foremost priority,” De Sesto said in a statement issued on Monday, August 25.