American dies after banging head into Bantayan prison wall

CEBU - An American national died inside the detention cell of a police station in Bantayan Island last Saturday afternoon after he reportedly went wild and repeatedly smashed his head into the concrete wall inside the cell.

Bantayan Police Chief Almirante Bacayo said they arrested the foreigner, Paul Cortis Agostinelli, last Saturday after his wife, Clara Cose Paloma, and their neighbors in barangay Binaobao complained of his disorderly attitude.

Paloma claimed Agostinelli would beat her up every time he was drunk.

Last Saturday, the couple’s neighbors complained that the American played music so loud and allegedly tried to destroy the house he was renting with his wife.

Bacayo said his men arrived at the couple’s residence past 9 a.m. with the American severely drunk with six cases of beer with him. Agostinelli reportedly could consume up to two cases of beer in one day.

At the police station, Agostinelli allegedly went wild when placed inside the detention cell and even beat up two other prisoners. He also reportedly pulled the electrical wire from the cell’s ceiling in an attempt to electrocute himself.

This prompted the police to transfer him to another cell where he could be incarcerated alone.

However, this did not solve the problem because even with handcuffs, Agostinelli allegedly still went wild and banged his head repeatedly against the concrete wall inside the cell. He also reportedly banged his arms and elbow against the iron bars.

Later, Agostinelli reportedly took off his clothes, including his underwear.

When a doctor arrived about 2 p.m. to help calm Agostinelli with a medication, the American was already reportedly sprawled on the floor, still naked.

He was declared dead upon arriving at the hospital past 3 p.m. Initial findings revealed that Agostinelli died of suffocation. — Niña Chrismae G. Sumacot/JMO (THE FREEMAN)