4 Manila village execs face raps for arbitrary detention

MANILA, Philippines — Four barangay officials in a Manila village were arrested by authorities on Friday for allegedly locking a man suspected with the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) inside his home.

Manila policemen arrested Barangay 538 Zone 53 councilors Bobby Biason and Marvin Simbahan, executive officer Ferdinand Gatdula and watchman Epifanio Rempis for arbitrary detention and violation of the antidiscrimination city ordinance.

The man’s relative complained that the barangay officials locked him on Wednesday for being exposed to a confirmed COVID-19 case. But the man’s swab test results showed that he was negative for the virus.

—Nikka G. Valenzuela