Tortured MPD detainee’s son won’t sue

MANILA, Philippines - A son of a detainee at the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 3, who died of torture last Jan. 14, said their family is not interested in filing a lawsuit and would rather keep silent.

“We are leaving it all to God. Whoever did it is answerable to someone who has higher authority,” said the 17-year-old son of Armando Ramos.

Ramos, who was held since Dec. 4, 2014 for drug charges, was declared dead on arrival at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center. His legs and back were swollen and the skin on his genitals and inner thighs had been scalded and flayed, according to Detective Jonathan Bautista.

However, the jail guard who was on duty at the time, Police Officer 3 Geford Gremaje, claimed that he only learned of the incident when Ramos’ fellow detainees told him the victim suddenly collapsed and experienced difficulty in breathing.

Ramos’ son, who asked not to be identified, said he learned of his father’s death through the wife of a detainee who sent him a text message when his father was taken to the hospital.

“They were just concerned so they told me what happened. However, they didn’t tell me who did it,” the boy told The STAR.

He said his father was cremated on Jan. 15 and they are just waiting for the medical reports, “but we are not going to ask for investigation and we will not file any complaint.”

The boy, who is studying medical technology in a school north of Manila, said his parents separated six months prior to his father’s arrest.

“He had been living a vagabond’s life and was hooked into drugs. He was not working and was just asking food and money from his relatives. We just want to move on from here,” he said.

Bautista refused to comment on the statement by Ramos’ son but said he is still waiting for the medical report.

The STAR tried but failed to contact MPD Station 3 commander Superintendent Aldrin Gran.