Thousands rally over death of student while in police custody

BONTOC, Mountain Province – More than a thousand folks rallied at the provincial plaza here Nov. 12 calling for an impartial investigation and justice on the death of a student allegedly while under police custody.

Gov. Leonard  Mayaen  including other officials and students of Mt Province Student Polytechnique College joined the rally saying an indepth probe should be done on the matter.

 
Five policemen of this capital town have been relieved of their posts after being tagged as suspects in the death of Stephen BosnengGalidan, 19 of Bauko town, second year student of the MPSPCwho died at the Bontoc General Hospital while being treated Nov. 5.

This, as Anakbayan, a national cause-oriented group pressed for a speedy, impartial investigation on the case.

A regional police report said investigation was being conducted by Mt. Province police on involvement of SPO4 Rolando K. Bagangan; SPO4 Michael T. Napaeg; SPO3 Lester A. Faba-an,  SPO2 Gaspar M. Suagen and PO3 Raul T. Fagsao  on the death of Galidan.

Regional police director Chief Supt. Isagani R. Nerez said if found guilty, they will be held liable for their actions and appropriate sanctions will be imposed against them. 

The cops were relieved from Bontoc police and reassigned to provincial police office pending investigation. 

Senior Supt. Oliver Enmodias, Police Provincial Office director, said investigation is being handled now by the National Bureau of Investigation.

A police report said the victim together with his two companions identified as RoldanLibangBanwa and Carmelo Charles Battateng Bautista, both 22 years old, students, and natives of Bauko town came out from Virtual Liquor Bar, Poblacion and about to go to Cable Café and Bar but they were prohibited by patrolling tanods (village watchmen) because of liquor ban night of Nov. 4.

The report said while on the road, two patrolling cops observed the victim and his companions creating trouble. One of them was reportedly holding and swinging an empty bottle causing danger to a passerby prompting the policemen to accost them.

The three reportedly argued with the cops prompting the latter to apprehend them particularly the person who was holding the bottle.

Three policemen on board a patrol car responded and assisted the two policemen.

Galidan reportedly resisted the arrest and took pictures of his companion who was holding an empty bottle being apprehended while his two companions ran away.

Galidan asked SPO2 Gaspar M. Suagen, driver of the mobile car to bring him to the police station to file complaint.

But before reaching the station, the victim allegedly jumped out from the police car.

Being injured they reportedly brought him immediately to the  BGHby SPO3 Suagen and PO3 Leonardo Fang-asan.

Other witnesses reportedly said the victim asked forgiveness from the policemen for jumping out from the patrol car.

Another witness reportedly voluntarily gave her statement to the investigators saying she saw a person who suddenly jumped out from the moving patrol car along the road fronting the Bontoc police station.

But one witness, reportedly a relative of the victim said cops allegedly mauled Galidan causing his death.

Based on review of CCTV footage, Galidan was accompanied by two policemen towards the police car before proceeding to the police station.

In said rally, attending rallyists also called for justice for student Sarah Becyagen who died September 2012 in a rape-slay incident.

Case was forwarded to the NBI for investigation by parents of the victim.

In a press conference, other death cases were brought to the attention of Enmodias who said he shall be reviewing cases of Becyagen;and FlorenciaKayohan and another artist from Sabangan who died along the Chico River in recent years during night time under reported mysterious circumstances.

This to include other unsolved murder cases of Elmo Panoyo and Christopher Balicag  in northern Sagada in recent years.  

Meanwhile, Anakbayan,condemned “the police brutality leading to thedeath of Galidan.

King Cris Pulmano, spokesperson of Anakbayan-Cordillera said in a press statement “government and its related authorities must upholdjustice even if it includes prosecuting members and/or officers of itsagencies such as the policemen responsible for the death of Galidan.”

Galidan’s family and friends believe he was mauled by police resulting to his death.

Pulmano said during his arrest, Galidan, together with his companions was already reportedly maltreated and beaten by said policemen.

“Clearly, this is another case of human rights abuse perpetrated by government authorities even to the youth. Even if Galidan committed violations as what the policemen claimed, this does not justify thebrutal actions he suffered from the said policemen.”

Torture, force or violence against a person under investigation is a violation ofArticle III, section 12, paragraph 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Section 14 of the Anti-Torture Act of 2009 provides authorities should be prosecuted andpunished for such acts.

Anakbayan said Galidan’s death was not an isolated case of human rights violations bymen in uniform saying this was rampant in the Cordillera.

Last September, members of 41st Infantry Battalion reportedly tortured and massacred two civilians during one of their military operations in Lacub Abra.

Recently, the Armed Forces of the Philippines reportedly filed a court case against another student of MPSPC, accusing her as member of the New People’s Army. 

“As if this is just a joke for the AFP, they never showed their faces during hearings as the victim remains in jail while case hearing continues. These cases are in addition to the massacre of the Ligiw family, also in Abra, and the extra-judicial killing of William Bugatti in Ifugao this year. Until now, their family, relatives and their communities are still seeking justice on these violations committed by the AFP,” Anakbayan said.

Meanwhile, Nerez, urged other witnesses to give their statements for documentation to determine other circumstances related to the incident. 

“Despite the incident, PRO-Cordillera assures the public that this incident is an isolated case and the PNP organization extends its condolences to the family of the victim and vows to seek justice for Galidan’s untimely death,” Nerez said. 

An autopsy on Galidan’s body was conducted by medico-legal officer of NBI-Cordillera while regional police doctor observed. Results have not been released yet.

“PRO-COR leadership reiterates to all personnel to act and behave like a true police officer.” As the primary law enforcer agency in the country, it is our duty to uphold the law at all times and not the other way around,” Nerez said.

He urged the public to help the Philippine National Police by reporting rogue police officers as well as providing relevant and timely information through social media (Twitter-@PNPCordillera or Facebook Page- PioProcor, or through the following numbers: Complaint Referral -094765880 / 09174297628; Regional Tactical Operation Center (074) 422-5515; 09175302679/ 09285591669. – With a report from Gina
Dizon