Three inmates at the Antipolo City Police Station mauled to death another detainee on Monday.
Police identified the victim as Margine Sanchez, 38, who was arrested for robbery.
The suspects, meanwhile, were identified as Jimmy Apable, 36; Rodelio Alcuriza, 31; and Daniel Sallan, 42, who were collared for illegal drugs.
According to report by Supt. Serafin Petalio, city police chief, at around 5:15 p.m., one of the detainees called the attention of the guard on duty and informed him that Sanchez was having difficulty breathing.
The victim, who had been in jail for barely a month, was rushed to the Rizal Provincial Hospital Annex 2, but was declared dead on arrival.
Investigation, however, revealed that Sanchez had suffered multiple physical injuries on different parts of his body.
Authorities later learned that Apable, Alcuriza and Sallan had beat up the victim inside the cell.
In an interview with he Inquirer, Petalio said Sanchez was known as a rowdy inmate, who frequently punched and even bit his co-detainees.
“He may have landed the wrong punches on the wrong people, who already grew impatient over his antics,” he said.
The police official said Sanchez‘s family informed authorities that the victim was an alcoholic and might have been having withdrawal symptoms in the cell.
It was not clear, however, if he had been suffering from mental problems.
Over 250 male and female inmates populate the three cells inside the police station, Petalio said.
Apable, Alcuriza and Sallan underwent inquest proceedings on Tuesday for homicide. /atm