By Priam Nepomuceno
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MANILA – The chief of police of General Trias City, Cavite has been relieved from his post after two other quarantine violators have submitted sworn affidavits, saying they were forced to do physical exercises shortly after their apprehension last week.
“The PD (Provincial Director) Cavite PPO (Police Provincial Office) has relieved the COP (Chief of Police) of Gen. Trias after finding out that two of the quarantine violators executed sworn affidavits that they indeed were made to do physical exercises (knee bender) by two GT (General Trias) policemen earlier relieved pending the investigation,” Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brig. Gen. Ildebrandi Usana said in a press statement Wednesday.
He added that General Trias City police chief, Lt. Col. Marlo Solero, who earlier denied the allegation, and the two police officers — Cpl. Jerome Vibar and Cpl. Kenneth Mercene — are now placed under the direct supervision and control of the Cavite police director, Col. Marlon Santos.
Usana said Santos went to General Trias City to confirm the witnesses’ testimonies.
“(Santos) went straight to GT to validate for himself from vital witnesses what actually happened during that fateful night that may probably be one of the preceding causes of the death of Mr. Darren Peñaredondo. Administrative and/or criminal investigation is now being handled by Cavite PPO,” Usana said.
He added that the PNP does not tolerate any act that will endanger the people’s lives.
“We only have to make it clear in the Cavite case that physical exercises are not bad. They are necessary for everyone to live a healthy life. But there is also such a thing as excessive physical exercise that could be harmful to a person with medical history,” Usana said.
Reports said Peñaredondo, 28, died after reportedly being forced to do a body pumping exercise 300 times before being freed. He was earlier arrested for violating quarantine rules on Maundy Thursday.
The victim was released on Good Friday but suffered a convulsion, went into comatose and died later in the day. Solero earlier said they have no records showing that Peñaredondo was arrested last April 1.
However, investigation showed that watchmen in Barangay Tejero arrested Peñaredondo. (with Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
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