PNP chief orders probe on ‘torture’ of three bloodied youths in circulating video

The Philippine National Police on Thursday vowed to identify and punish those responsible for the possible torture and maltreatment of three bloodied youths seen on a video circulating online. PNP head Director General Jesus Verzosa ordered the police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit and Public Information Office to trace the abusers, who were heard threatening to hurt two of the young men if they do not kiss each other. “When we got hold of this video, General Verzosa ordered an immediate investigation and charge the responsible and culpable malefactors," said PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Leonardo Espina said in a phone interview with GMANews.TV. The video shows three handcuffed young men bloodied and slouched on a tiled floor, while a voice in the background bullied two of them into kissing each other.

The voice of an abuser was heard saying, "Ikaw, nakapatay ka 'no (Hey you, you've killed someone, right)?" The abusers likewise forced two of the men into kissing each other “torridly," threatening to slap or kick them if they don’t follow the orders. "Ganyan ba napapanuod ninyo sa CD? Gusto ko yung parang napapanuod niyo sa CD (Is that what you’ve seen on CD? I want you to copy what you’ve see on CD)," a voice said. "Sige sir (Alright, sir)," one of the men replied. Are cops the abusers? Espina added that Verzosa wanted to find out whether the abusers were policemen and whether the victims were detained at a police station. “He wanted to know what [police] unit, but regardless of whether these were policemen or not, the PNP can investigate motu proprio [in its own initiative]," he added. Espina said he and Verzosa have not seen the video, which was only reported to them by their subordinates. Espina said the young men’s rights were violated and suppressed. “There was physical, mental, and emotional torture. We will press charges of physical injuries, violation of the Anti-Torture Law, maltreatment of prisoners against them [abusers]," said Espina. The police officer then told the public and the media to provide them with leads on the identities of the abusers. As of posting time, GMANews.TV was still trying to reach Commission on Human Rights chair Leila de Lima to shed light on the matter, but she could not be reached. - GMANews.TV