EPD probes helper’s death in San Juan cell

MANILA, Philippines - Eastern Police District (EPD) director Chief Superintendent Miguel Laurel ordered Wednesday an investigation into the death of a helper, accused of theft, at the San Juan police station last July 27.

Initial reports reaching Laurel said Rey Dumaplin, 40, was “manhandled” by two policemen in his cell, apparently to force him to admit to his crime.

Dumaplin and Andy Ramos, 27, were turned over by barangay officials to the San Juan police last July 26 after their employer, Salud Reyes, 60, accused them of taking her bag containing P107,000 in cash, five cell phones and important belongings.

While he was sound asleep in the wee hours of July 27, two policemen reportedly woke Dumaplin and “roughed him up” for two hours. The two policemen also hurt Ramos, witnesses said.

Despite the beatings, Dumaplin and Ramos denied the theft charges. When the two policemen left their cell, Dumaplin went to sleep.

At about 11 a.m. on July 27, fellow inmates Gerry Soriano and Vicente Lim tried to wake Dumaplin but he failed to respond. Dumaplin was later pronounced dead on arrival at a nearby hospital.

After Dumaplin’s death, police officers filed qualified theft charges against Ramos before the city prosecutors’ office. However, the prosecutor dismissed the charges after Ramos presented an affidavit of desistance duly signed by Reyes.