2 QCPD detainees die in detention cell

MANILA, Philippines — Two more inmates of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) died in their detention cell on Tuesday.

Police identified the fatalities as Genesis Argoncillo, 22, and Alex Andaman, 41.

Argoncillo died while being taken to the Novaliches District Hospital after he complained of shortness of breath, probers said.

He was held on charges of alarm and scandal on June 15.

Andaman, who was arrested for illegal gambling, died shortly after he was taken to the hospital for fever.

QCPD director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel said there was no foul play in the deaths of the detainees.

He said they were ready to accommodate complaints from the families of the deceased inmates.

Esquivel said the QCPD detention facilities are congested, which may aggravate the medical conditions of the inmates. 

On May 29, Jeffrey Norio, a detainee of the Novaliches police station, was declared dead on arrival in the hospital.

After a few days, another inmate, Niño Cruz, 39, died while being taken to the hospital.

Esquivel said the Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit of the QCPD were looking into the deaths.