NBI: Cop’s punch didn’t kill old man

The septuagenarian who died four days after being punched by a policeman in Ronda town died of a heart attack, according to the doctor who conducted an autopsy on him yesterday.

National Bureau of Investigation-7 medico-legal officer Rene Cam yesterday said that the autopsy conducted on Donie Noel, 78, of barangay Poblacion, Ronda town, showed that he died of atherosclerosis which eventually caused the heart attack.

Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the vessels of the arteries due to the accumulation of fat.

Cam, who conducted the autopsy yesterday, found out that the blood vessels, including the aorta, arteries and the pulmonary vessels, were already choked with cholesterol.

“So the incident is not somehow related to the cause of his death but I also told the family that we can’t also rule out that emotional stress or trauma could also trigger,” Cam said.

Atherosclerosis, Cam said, is a chronic disease which takes time to develop.

He said he no longer found the bruise on Noel’s right jaw since he died four days after he received the blow from PO1 Christian Penafiel.

Cam said the autopsy report may not form part of any complaint planned by Noel’s family against Penafiel but said he will testify on the findings should be asked by the court.

The Philippine National Police gave way to NBI-7 upon the request of the family and also to shake off any speculations of whitewash on the ongoing investigation against Penafiel.

Noel accompanied his son, Russel to the police station last July 25 to clear his name over an armed person alarm raised earlier that day.

In the middle of questioning by the Special Reaction Unit, Penafiel allegedly arrived at the station and beat up Russel.

Upon seeing that his son was beaten, Noel approached them but was punched in the right jaw by Penafiel. — Ferliza C. Contratista/BRP