NAPOLCOM: 7 Caloocan cops charged over death of leptospirosis victim

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) on Thursday filed administrative charges against seven cops in Caloocan City over the death of Dion dela Rosa, an altar boy who contracted leptospirosis after he waded through floods searching for his detained father.

"Mayroong pitong pulis ang kakasuhan. Kakasuhan sila for grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, incompetence, oppression, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer," NAPOLCOM Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Ralph Calinisan said in a press conference right before the filing.

(There are seven police officers who will be charged. They will be charged for grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, incompetence, oppression, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.)

"Ito ay aakyat sa Legal Affairs Service natin kung saan tutuloy na ngayon ang kaso. Ito ay magkakaroon ng ilang hearing at dadalhin sa en banc kung saan hahatulan ng exoneration o kaya ng iba pang penalties ang mga naturang nakasuhang police officers," he added.

(This will be escalated to our Legal Affairs Service. Several hearings will be held, then the case will be brought to the en banc where the accused police officers will be sentenced with exoneration or other penalties.)

During the height of heavy rains due to the Southwest Monsoon (Habagat) and successive tropical cyclones, Dela Rosa waded through flooded streets for three days in search of his father, Jayson, who did not return to their home at Barangay Longos in Malabon on July 22.

Amid their search, the family on July 24 asked assistance from the Caloocan police but they denied having any record of Jayson.

The Caloocan police later said Jayson was arrested only on July 25. Dion on the same date found his father in detention.

Jayson was detained at a police substation after he was arrested for playing kaya y krus (coin toss).

On July 27, Dion suffered a fever and body aches. He was later found dead after a cardiac arrest due to leptospirosis.

His father Jayson was released from detention only on August 2.

The Caloocan City Police Station on August 5 said it welcomes the possible filing of a complaint if there were lapses on its part in notifying the relatives of Jayson's arrest.

On August 18, Jayson, accompanied by Kalookan Bishop Pablo Virgilio Cardinal David, lodged an administrative complaint against the police officers, who allegedly engaged in "pangsakto" or wanton arrests to meet their quota. — VDV, GMA Integrated News