Cascolan’s siblings see ‘extraordinary circumstances’ in ex-PNP chief’s death

Health Undersecretary Camilo Cascolan (File photo from the Facebook account of Philippine National Police)

MANILA, Philippines — An investigation is being conducted by National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the “extraordinary circumstances” surrounding the ailments and death of former Philippine National Police chief General Camilo Cascolan.

The siblings of late top cop made the disclosure on Monday.

Attorney Stephen Cascolan, legal counsel of the official’s siblings, also flagged the immediate cremation of the late police official’s remains.

“Matagal na po yung pagdududa sa mga sakit at sa mga iba pang karamdaman na na-observe sa kanya since March pa po,” Atty. Cascolan narrated over radio DWPM on Monday.

(The suspicions on the ailments and other illnesses were observed on him since March.)

He added the siblings blame the situation on people around General Cascolan.

Pressed to elaborate, the lawyer said, “I don’t want to get into the details. Pasensya na po ha? May na-observe yung mga siblings na hindi ordinary na circumstances.”

(I apologize, but the siblings observed circumstances that were not ordinary.)

General Cascolan, 59, died on Friday (November 25) .

His immediate family did not disclose the cause of his death, but the lawyer said Cascolan was in a coma since March after his stroke.

Prior to his demise, he was serving as health undersecretary.

NBI is trying to find out the circumstances which led to his death, according to Atty. Cascolan.

The legal counsel also said the siblings had sought guardianship and had asked not to cremate his remains, so as to remove doubts on the cause of the general’s death.

But the former chief PNP’s body was immediately cremated, despite the wishes of his siblings.

“Meron na din po kaming pending na case, bago po siya namatay, ng guardianship, para maalagaan siya ng mga kapatid niya,” Atty. Cascolan recalled.

(We already had a pending case, before his death, of guardianship so his siblings could take care of him.)

“Meron din kaming specific na request sa petition namin na huwag siya i-cremate, para walang issue, para walang doubt kung ano ‘yung cause of death,” the counsel pointed out.

(We also have specific request in our petition asking not to cremate him, so there would be no issue and doubt on the cause of his death.)

“Pero noong biglaan siyang namatay, kin-remate agad! Hindi man lang..” he could not believe what was done.

(But when he suddenly died, he was cremated at once! There was’nt even any…)

“Very cruel eh, na hindi man lang nakarating ang mga kapatid,” Atty. Cascolan aired his shock.

(It was very cruel. The siblings were not even able to arrive (in time for cremation).”

“May mga questions talaga kami sa ngayon,” he revealed.

“We really have questions at this time.”

According to the lawyer, NBI sought an autopsy for General Cascolan’s remains, but this was disregarded when former PNP chief was immediately cremated.

“Ang NBI po ang gustong mag-autopsy. Nandoon po sila. Nag-serve po sila ng document para i-inform sila na may autopsy na gagawin,” Atty. Cascolan recalled.

(NBI wanted to conduct an autopsy. They were there. They served the document to inform them that an autopsy would be done.)

“Minadali pa din po ang pag-cremate. Kaya meron pong questions ang pagkawala ni General Cascolan,” he said.

(Cremation was also done in a hurry. That’s why there exists a question behind the death of General Cascolan.)