A grieving father has filed formal complaints before the National Police Commission (Napolcom) against three Caloocan policemen, alleging they illegally arrested and detained him – an ordeal that led to his son’s death from leptospirosis after searching for him in floodwaters.
Jason Dela Rosa, accompanied by Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, Bishop of Kalookan, lodged the case on Monday, Aug. 18.
He accused the officers of arbitrary detention, perjury, and incriminating an innocent person.
Dela Rosa was arrested on July 22 after being accused of stealing from a convenience store. Although he immediately returned the item and no charges were filed by the establishment, the police officers still detained him at the Caloocan City Police Station until July 25 for alleged involvement in illegal gambling.
During his detention, his 20-year-old son, Dion Angelo “Gelo” Dela Rosa, searched for him in floodwaters, unaware that he was in police custody.
Gelo later contracted leptospirosis and died, sparking outrage and accusations of police abuse.
In a press conference, Napolcom Vice Chairperson Rafael Vicente Calinisan said closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage confirmed the officers’ violations.
“We will put an end to this culture of impunity, tapos na. Pagod na pagod na ako sa mga gantong istorya. If he committed a crime, nag-shoplift siya and he should be booked for shoplifting but he should not be booked for something else,” he said.
“Gawa gawa ‘yung kwento, klarong klaro naman. Hindi naman Kara y krus ‘yung kasalanan nito. So why are we arresting him for kara y krus?,” Calinisan added.
He also assured that the policemen involved will be suspended once the investigation is completed.
Meanwhile, the Caloocan City Police Station released a statement on Aug. 5, denying allegations that the death of a 20-year-old college student from leptospirosis was connected to the arrest of his father.
In the statement, it said that police also confirmed that the station commander and personnel involved in the incident have been temporarily relieved from their posts pending further investigation. (Hannah Nicol)
