Jailed stuntman lynched by detainees

MANILA, Philippines - A stuntman, arrested for alarm and scandal, was beaten to death by detainees in the Valenzuela City police detention cell early morning yesterday.

Erwin Ponce, 33, a resident of Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City died on the way to Valenzuela City Medical Center due to severe head injuries.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Wilben Mayor said Ponce, who was drunk, was turned over by Barangay Malinta watchmen to the local police at around 3:10 a.m.

Ponce, once inside the detention cell, reportedly started kicking and punching the sleeping detainees.  Marcelino Dayaday Sr., 38, facing charges of robbery with homicide; Ronaldo Cahili, Julius Taguines, Allen Reyes and Felipe Javier, drug suspects; and alleged thief Dizon Solaybar beat up Ponce.

Senior Police Officer 2 Arnel Soriano said that the detainees would be charged with homicide for Ponce’s death, apart from their present charges. SPO2 Ruel Capulong will also be investigated since he was the duty jail officer at the time of the incident.