4 boys sue 2 barangay officials for torture

MANILA, Philippines - Four boys filed yesterday a complaint against two barangay officials and a police officer who allegedly tortured them after they were caught stealing three screws from a jeepney.

The boys, accompanied by members of the Akap-bata party-list group, went to the Quezon City prosecutor’s office to file charges of child abuse and torture against Barangay Marilag councilman Andy Abundo, head watchman Eleuterio Endozo Jr. and an unnamed policeman.

In their three-page joint affidavit, the boys – aged 12, 13, 14 and 16 – claimed they stole three screws from a damaged jeepney parked along the road last June 23.

The boys said they intended to sell the screws to a junk shop, but they were apprehended by four men who told them the jeepney was owned by Endozo.

The eldest of the boys said an unidentified watchman slapped him before forcing them into a vehicle that brought them to the Barangay Marilag village hall, where Endozo allegedly made them undress to find out if they had any gang tattoos.

The boys said Endozo and the others used a stun gun on them and asked them if they would repeat what they had done.

The 16-year-old boy also claimed he was punched in the stomach and had one of the screws put in his mouth for four hours. He said he was made to shout on the megaphone that he would never steal again.

Abundo and other watchmen were allegedly laughing as the boys were tortured.

The two other boys, aged 12 and 13, claimed the watchmen used the stun gun to compel them to clean the village hall’s toilet.

The 14-year-old boy also claimed Endozo cut his hair.

According to the eldest boy, the unidentified policeman later arrived, put bullets between his fingers and squeezed them.

He said he was released early in the afternoon and dropped off at the spot where they were arrested. There, he was allegedly made to tell passersby he would not steal again.