Calabarzon activists’ families say not letting them get remains is PNP tactic to delay autopsy

The father of one of the activists killed in police operations in Calabarzon on Sunday said that preventing them from taking their loved ones' bodies is the police's tactic to delay autopsies on the remains.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras,” the bodies of Melvin Dasigao, Mark Lee Bacasno, Randy Dela Cruz, and Puroy Dela Cruz were brought to a funeral home called Antipolo Memorial Homes.

The report shows the establishment gate padlocked and one of the relatives saying they were unable to leave with the bodies.

"Hindi po kami pwedeng lumabas [We are not allowed to leave]," said Dasigao's brother Michael.

"This is already illegal detention," said lawyer Kathy Panguban of the National Union of Peoples Lawyers (NUPL). "Pinadlock nila yung mga kliyente namin. Simula pa kagabi, alas siyete ng gabi, pinadlock na sila."

[They padlocked our clients. Since 7 p.m. last night, they've padlocked them.]

Some of the family members also spent the night outside the mortuary after they were prevented from bringing home their loved ones’ remains on orders of the police.

“Lahat po ng ano, ‘wag lang makarating sa PGH or autopsy dahil siguro nakakakita sila ng pangamba, kapahamakan, kaya gumagawa sila ng paraan o delaying tactic,” Santiago, Bacasno’s father, said.

[“Everything, as long as the bodies are not brought to the PGH or to autopsy. Maybe because they sense apprehension, danger, leading them to use delaying tactics.”]

The families have processed all documents and the fees have been paid for.

Panguban, meanwhile, said they are looking into the possibility that the police may be trying to cover up something.

“This is part of their harassment, continued harassment. And definitely tinitignan namin yung possibility na they want to cover up something on what happened,” Panguban said.

[“Definitely, we are looking into the possibility that they want to cover up something on what happened.”]

This was denied by the Rizal police.

“Wala po tayong hino-hostage, wala po tayong hinohold na bangkay. Ang hinihingi po natin ay proper documentation,” Rizal Provincial Director Police Colonel Joseph Arguelles said.

[“We are not holding anyone hostage, we are not holding any remains. All we ask for is proper documentation.”]

“Sila po ay pumasok doon sa loob ng funeral home services na iyon sa kanilang kagustuhan, kung gusto nilang lumabas, maari silang lumabas. Hindi po natin sila dine-detain,” he added.

[“They entered the funeral home services on their own. If they want to leave, they may leave. We are not detaining them.”]

Arguelles said the funeral home was preventing the entrance of Karapatan members due to social distancing measures.

“Pagka po sila ay pinayagan pumasok doon lahat, makikita ng IATF ‘yung mga violation ng mga IATF protocols natin during pandemic, at nangangahulugan po ‘yon ng pagsasara ng kanilang negosyo,” he said.

[“If everyone was allowed to enter, the IATF will see the violation of IATF protocols amid the pandemic. This will lead to the closure of their business.”]

The bodies were expected to be released on Thursday evening. — Joahna Lei Casilao/BM, GMA News