Kin seeks justice for death of 32-year-old cop assigned in Masbate

The family of the 32-year-old patrolman, assigned in Masbate, is seeking justice for his death, according to Jessie Cruzat of GMA Regional TV Balitang Bicolandia on “24 Oras” on Friday.

The family of Patrolman Jaypee De Guzman Ramores does not believe that the cause of his death is cardiac arrest on July 26 at Ticao District Hospital, San Jacinto, Masbate.

Ramores was assigned at the 503rd Maneuver Company, 5th Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB), San Jacinto, Masbate.

Based on the post-mortem report issued by the medical officer in the hospital, the cause of death was listed as “cardiorespiratory arrest, deep vein thrombosis secondary to pulmonary embolism and multiple physical injuries secondary to blunt trauma.”

The family of the victim said they only found out the death of the patrolman on July 27.

“Yung kausap namin na pulis, ilang minutes lang daw yung papunta sa hospital, three minutes lang po. Tapos after nun ni-revive naman daw, tinurukan si kuya, inanuhan ng oxygen, tapos alas 10 po sinabi na patay na si kuya,” Jhonarie, sister of the patrolman, said.

(The policeman that we talked to said it only takes a few minutes to go to the hospital, only three minutes. Then after that he was revived, they injected my brother, gave him oxygen, and then later he was declared dead.)

“Ang hinanakit lang po, nandoon sa kanila yung cellphone dapat tinawagan kami,” said Evelyn, mother of the patrolman.

(It hurt us because they had a cell phone, they should have called us.)

The family said they used to talk to him regularly. However, they haven't talked to him since he was assigned to Masbate on July 20.

“Dapat po mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkamatay ng kapatid namin. ‘Yan po ay aral, aral sa lahat ng pulis. Pinatay nila ang kapatid ko. Sana hindi na maranasan ng ibang pulis,” Viberlyn, sister of the victim said.

(Justice must be given for the death of our brother. That's a lesson, a lesson for all the police. They killed my brother. I hope other cops do not experience this.)

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said it created a special investigation task group (SITG) Ramores to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Ramores.

In a statement, PNP officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant General Vicente Danao Jr. said the SITG was looking at the veracity of the report submitted by the San Jacinto Municipal Police Station that prior to the said incident, Ramores was seen performing a noon time road run around the town on July 22.

Danao said the patrolman later collapsed so he was brought to Ticao District Hospital and later released at about 5 p.m. of the said day.

After the incident, Danao said the Company Commander including 19 other personnel of 503rd Maneuver Company were relieved from their posts and placed under restrictive custody of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion 5 while the investigation is underway.

“With deepest sympathy, we assure them that the PNP shall act swiftly to uncover the truth and serve the ends of justice if somebody is criminally liable for his death,” Danao said.

The PNP OIC also appealed to the public to avoid making conclusions until the final report and recommendations are done.

“If ever the SITG finds irregularities and abuse inflicted against the victim, I will ensure that all liable PNP personnel are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law because criminals have no place in the police service. As I have always emphasized, there is no room for scalawags to thrive in the PNP,” he added. -- Richa Noriega/BAP, GMA News