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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider Visayas devider Brother of former Cebu governor claims rights violations

Brother of former Cebu governor claims rights violations

Published Jun 18, 2026 06:28 pm
BYRON Garcia is booked during his arrest last June 11. (Contributed photo)
BYRON Garcia is booked during his arrest last June 11. (Contributed photo)
CEBU CITY – A member of an influential political family in Cebu alleged that his rights were violated when he was arrested and detained last week.
Byron Garcia, brother of former Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia, is considering filing charges after he was allegedly denied due process and suffered maltreatment while in detention at the Talisay City Police Station.
Garcia was arrested on June 11 after he was accused of violating the Spaces Act (Gender-Based Sexual Harassment Act). The charges were filed by Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, daughter of Gov. Pamela Baricuatro.
Garcia, a former consultant of the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center, alleged that he was not properly served a copy of the complaint filed against him.
He also complained that he was not given the opportunity to respond before a warrant was issued.
"I did not receive a copy of the complaint. The fiscal didn’t provide us a copy. I was not afforded due process," Garcia said.
Garcia questioned why he was not furnished a copy of the resolution after the complaint was supposedly filed. He said he was unaware that a complaint was filed against him until he was arrested.
The 65-year-old Garcia said he is suffering from uncontrolled diabetes and gout, medical conditions that the police allegedly ignored when he was detained.
"My hands swell because of gout and it worsened after I was handcuffed. I asked them to loosen the cuffs but they ignored me,” said Garcia.
After his arrest, Garcia said he was taken to the Cebu South Medical Center in Talisay City after his blood sugar reading reached between 240 and 270.
Garcia said the high blood sugar was considered alarming, prompting one of the doctors to recommend that he be referred to the Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center in Cebu City.
The recommendation was turned down as a police doctor instructed medical personnel to send him back to jail instead, Garcia said.
Garcia added that he was locked up in a storage room, where he was provided an electric fan and a folding bed. Because of his medical condition, Garcia said police should have given him special treatment.
"I have uncontrolled diabetes. They should have identified me as someone to be given special treatment," Garcia said, adding that he was left without food and even water while under detention.
Garcia said he was eventually transferred to a regular detention cell together with other detainees due to allegations that he was getting special treatment while under police custody.
While detained, Garcia said he began feeling dizzy.
Garcia said he was eventually brought to the Cebu South Medical Center when a police officer noticed his deteriorating medical condition.
Garcia said he has sought assistance from the Commission on Human Rights for possible legal action against the police behind his arrest and detention.
He has been released from jail after posting P108,000 bail. His arraignment was scheduled for July 25.

Related Tags

Cebu Byron Garcia Gov. Gwen Garcia Human rights
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