MILITANT lawmakers at the House of Representatives have called for an investigation into the death of a detainee who had been arrested as part of the police anti-loitering campaign.
"A congressional inquiry is necessary to probe into the arrest, detention and killing of Tisoy, as well as the anti-tambay verbal order and police operations that led to it," House Resolution 1971, filed by the Makabayan bloc on Tuesday, June 26, states.
Tisoy referred to 22-year-old Genesis "Tisoy" Argoncillo. He was arrested on June 15 for loitering shirtless. Four days later, on June 19, he died from multiple blunt force trauma after he was mauled by fellow detainees at the Novaliches Police Station in Quezon City.
In the resolution, the Makabayan bloc noted that the statements of the Quezon City Police District from Argoncillo's arrest up to his death are inconsistent with the testimonies of the witnesses and the medical certificate of Argoncillo.
The QCPD said Argoncillo was arrested for being intoxicated and for alarms and scandals.
They initially said his death was self-inflicted and that he was mentally-disturbed, making a scene inside his cell.
The owner of the sari-sari store, where Argoncillo was arrested, said the young man was just waiting for the prepaid load he had bought when the policemen came, made him hold empty beer bottles and photographed him for evidence.
The medical certificate also showed that he has died due to multiple blunt force trauma on his head, neck, chest and upper extremities.
"The circumstances point to irregularities in the arrest and detention of Tisoy by members of the QCPD and responsibility for possible torture and his eventual death while under police custody," the resolution reads.
Argonicllo was among the more than 11,000 "tambays" or loiterers taken into custody since Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police to arrest them as they are potential criminals.
Of the total, 96 were arrested and charged for violation of local ordinances that prohibit smoking, drinking liquor in public, and going shirtless in public. Curfew violators are also covered by the campaign.
Members of the Makabayan bloc are Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago, ACT Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas and Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate. (Keith A. Calayag/VoxPop Philippines)