Three police officers in General Trias, Cavite, including the former chief of police, are facing administrative complaints over their alleged involvement in the death of curfew violator Darren Peñaredondo.
At a press conference, Police Colonel John Guyguyon of the PNP-Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM) said Police Corporal Jerome Vibar and Police Corporal Kenneth Mercene faced charges of “grave misconduct resulting in homicide and grave neglect of duty.”
The two policemen allegedly required strenuous physical exercises for Peñaredondo and seven other quarantine violators.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Marlo Solero is facing charges for “grave neglect of duty” over the incident.
The former chief of police of General Trias was relieved on April 7.
Guyguyon said Solero was under pre-charge investigation for less grave neglect of duty for his failure to take corrective action either before or during the incident.
Peñaredondo, who violated curfew in their town, was forced to do 300 rounds of pumping exercise. He died due to a stroke a day after the strenuous activity.
Guyguyon said the charges against the relieved police officers have been submitted for “summary hearing.”
Two other policemen allegedly involved in the Cavite resident’s death but were not identified in the briefing were “exonerated and the complaint filed against them were closed and dropped.”
Reichelyn Balce, the victim’s live-in partner, previously said the family was considering the filing of charges against the involved police officers over the death of her partner.
She has asked authorities to impose community service to quarantine violators instead of tiring exercises. –NB, GMA News
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