MANILA, Philippines – Senator Grace Poe on Wednesday said that the two barangay tanods (village watchmen) accused of beating to death a curfew breaker in Laguna must be dealt with rigorous prosecution.
“The perpetrators of these acts of violence must face the full force and severity of the law,” she said in a statement.
The principles of command responsibility apply to their immediate superiors, she added.
She made the statement amid cries for justice by the family and loved ones of a curfew violator, Ernanie Jimenez, 26, who was buried on Tuesday in Quezon Province.
Poe urged restraint amid the pandemic.
“Untold miseries of ordinary Filipinos amid the continuing quarantine should not be aggravated by the “cruelty and violence” of unworthy ground authorities who think they are above the law and can do what they want with impunity.
“How can they afford to torture to death their already helpless constituent amid the hunger, poverty, and hopelessness gripping our communities?” Poe asked.
The police have already prepared to file a homicide case against the team of barangay tanod in Calamba.
The two suspects have been identified as Arjay Bahan Abierta and John Oriel Ortiz, both barangay tanod of Turbina in Calamba.
Poe also condemned the death of a quarantine violator in General Trias, Cavite, believed caused by the 300 squats punishment the police had ordered.
She said that these people do not deserve any more “bludgeoning” from any arm of the government.
“The perilous plight faced by the defenseless and vulnerable should not be further scorned by the harsh and ignominious blows from supposed ‘community protectors,” Poe said.
“Those who wield such undue use of force and authority must receive the corresponding full weight of the penalties of our laws,” the senator concluded. – Liezelle Soriano Roy, trainee
RELATED STORIES
General Trias police chief, 2 other cops sacked for curfew violator’s death
2 Laguna ‘tanod’ face homicide raps