A curfew violator in Laguna died after he was beaten up by a group of village watchmen (barangay tanod), his family said. He was the second quarantine protocol offender to die this month.
Ernanie Jimenez, 26, was reportedly beaten up by village guards of Barangay Turbina in Calamba, Laguna after he went out past 10 p.m. on April 7 to buy food, according to his brother, Gledien Jimenez and the leftist group Anakbayan-Calamba.
Police are investigating the incident, Department of the Interior and Local Government spokesperson Usec. Jonathan Malaya told reportr.
Jimenez was allegedly beaten up even after his head hit a pole, according to his brother.
“Hinabol po siya ng mga volunteer, ‘yong mga humuli sa kaniya, pinagbubugbog, tumama ‘yong ulo sa poste tapos hindi pa rin po tinigilan," Gledien said in an interview with GMA-7's 24 Oras on Sunday.
The victim was brought to Calamba Medical Center where he expired.
A report from the DILG field office showed that "the barangay officials immediately brought him to the nearest hospital using the ambulance of the barangay," Malaya said.
"We received the report and the DILG immediately directed the PNP to investigate the incident which happened last April 7," Malaya said in a message.
The Calamba Police, according to Malaya, gathered witness testimonies and are preparing charges against those responsible, reportedly members of the Barangay Quick Reaction Team of Barangay Turbina, Calamba.
"The DILG condemns what happened and will ensure that all those responsible will be prosecuted and held accountable for their actions," Malaya said.
The incident happened while Laguna along with Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, and Rizal were under the strict enhanced community quarantine to curb a spread in COVID-19 cases. Curfew hours were set from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. under ECQ.
This is the second time this month that a curfew violator died. Earlier, a curfew violator in Cavite was allegedly punished with 300 reps of "pumping" after he was caught during curfew hours buying water and died soon after.
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