Kin of detainees who also died in Novaliches station suspect foul play

The families of three other detainees who recently died while at the Novaliches Police Station have expressed doubt that there was no foul play in their deaths while in police custody.

According to Chino Gaston's report on "24 Oras", Niño Cruz, Jeffrey Norio and Alex Andaman died at the Novaliches jail before Genesis Argoncillo succumbed to beating injuries on Tuesday.

Andaman, a Muslim, was the last to die at the Novaliches police's detention facility before Argoncillo's case.

A relative said his body had bruises.

Detained for illegal gambling, Andaman died on June 18.

His body was not autopsied because it was immediately buried according to Muslim practice.

"Nung pumunta ako d'un, talagang hindi niya kinakaya ang init d'un. Ang inaano ko lang kasi, bakit siya may mga pasa sa katawan niya?" the relative said.

Cruz, who was detained on May 19 on complaints for slight physical injury, unjust vexation and estafa, died in detention one week after his arrest.

He was rushed to the nearby Novaliches General Hospital but still died.

Police said he suffered a heart attack but his kin are unconvinced.

Cruz's live-in partner said they were kept from seeing him.

"Bakit po bawal makita? Sana po... sana kung nararamdaman ang mga kaanak o mahal namin sa buhay na nakakulong, sana man lang nalaman namin," Janel Ramos said.

"Naagapan namin. Kung sila'y may karamdaman, napagamot sana namin," she added.

Cruz's death certificate also mentioned no cause of death.

Norio, who arrested for illegal gambling, died at the Novaliches detention center on May 29.

The detention facility is congested.

Most of the detainees were standing up because there was no place to sit.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr. reminded his men to be strong amid the furor following Argoncillo's death.

"I have more positive feedbacks than negative but I'm not taking this easy, that's why I'm investigating to the full, we will look who is responsible, bakit namatay si Tisoy, 'yung pumatay case will be filed in court," Esquivel said.

"But gusto ko lang i-deliver din sa aking station commanders, sa aking men under my command, 'wag kayong panghinaan ng loob, this thing happens. Talagang congested 'yung jail, something like this is bound to happen," he added.

Esquivel said that while the QCPD "will do everything to find justice for Tisoy," it will not stop them from their mandate to enforce the law. —NB, GMA News