For death of rehab patient: Cop, 3 others face homicide rap

CEBU, Philippines - A policeman and three others are facing a criminal complaint before the Cebu Provincial Prosecutor’s Office over the death of a drug dependent they were escorting to a drug rehabilitation center.

The Criminal Investigation and Detention Group-7 filed a complaint for homicide last Friday against SPO2 Jonas Paquibot, Edwin Jakosalem, and two unidentified companions.

Paquibot and the other respondents were escorts of businessman Jerome Bendebel, 42, resident of Balamban, Cebu when the latter was brought to a drug rehabilitation facility in Cebu City for confinement on December 31, 2013.

Police Chief Inspector Rene Kyamko said that their investigation shows that Paquibot and his companions mauled the victim to death after the latter became unruly while in transit to the rehabilitation center.

Leony Bendebel, victim’s wife, said her husband died on January 1, 2014 at the Perpetual Succour Hospital in Cebu City. The couple had four children.

Leony said her sister-in-law, Enecita, suggested confining her husband at the rehabilitation center in Lahug after the New Year’s Day.

However, the victim’s supposed confinement came sooner than what was agreed because he allegedly went to the house of his in-laws on December 31 brandishing a firearm.

Leony said she was forced to call her sister-in-law and the rehabilitation center to ask to pick-up her husband.

It was the group of Paquibot who arrived and escorted her husband to the rehabilitation center. The group arrived at the center at 2:30 a.m. on January 1, 2014.

The duty manager of the center, Rey Abella, and the guard on duty, Pablo Cutanda, noticed that the victim was very pale and has traces of blood in the head, prompting them to refuse admission.

The victim was instead brought to the hospital where he was declared dead.— /FPL (FREEMAN)