Here’s what we know so far about the death of a quarantine curfew violator in General Trias, Cavite that made headlines and has sparked public outrage in recent days.
April 1, Thursday
According to his family, 28-year-old Darren Manaog Peñaredondo was arrested by village watchmen for supposedly violating the curfew on Thursday, April 1, after he was caught buying drinking water past 6 p.m.
He and others accosted were reportedly brought to the Plaza Malabon in front of the municipal hall before being transferred to police custody.
A strict curfew is being enforced in Cavite and other areas under enhanced community quarantine due to increasing COVID-19 cases.
(Read more: ECQ extended in Cavite, other areas for another week)
(Read more: Cavite, other ‘NCR Plus’ areas back to ECQ until April 4)
(Read more: GenTri LGU imposes curfew, liquor ban to curb virus spread)
April 2, Friday
The day after Peñaredondo was apprehended, he complained of immense pain and had trouble walking due to fatigue, according to his live-in partner Reichelyn Balce.
“Tapos pag-uwi niya po ng umaga ng Biyernes, mag-aalas otso ng umaga, akay-akay na po siya ng kasama niyang nahuli sakay ng mobile. Tinanong ko kung nabugbog ba siya, ngumiti lang siya pero halata mong may masakit sa kanya,” she said in an interview with Rappler.
Balce added that his partner — who had a heart condition— told her that he and other quarantine violators were asked to do 100 “pumping exercises” akin to squat and ended up doing 300 rounds of it because they were not in sync.
“Maghapon na ‘yun, hirap na hirap siyang lumakad, gumagapang siya sa sahig para lang makatayo…Pero ‘di ko siya sineryoso masyado kasi ang sabi niya lang masakit ‘yung tuhod saka hita niya tapos ‘yung katawan niya,” she was quoted as saying.
April 3, Saturday
The victim’s cousin Adrian Luceña said Peñaredondo started having seizures and lost consciousness on Saturday, April 3.
He was brought to a hospital but eventually died despite several attempts to revive him.
April 4, Sunday
Luceña shared the story of the incident in a now-viral Facebook post.
Mayroon po kami hawak na video ng kuya ko kung paano po siya nahihirapan kumilos dahil sa pagpaparusang ginawa sa kanya…
Posted by Adrian Luceña on Saturday, April 3, 2021
April 5, Monday
Mayor Antonio Ferrer released a statement on Monday confirming that he had ordered the police to investigate the incident.
Ferrer added he is in touch with Peñaredondo’s family to offer assistance in their time of grief.
OPISYAL NA PAHAYAG Ang pamunuan ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng General Trias kabilang ang inyong lingkod ay nagpapahalaga sa…
Posted by Ony Ferrer on Monday, April 5, 2021
April 6, Tuesday
General Trias Police Chief PLt Col Marlo Solero on Tuesday denied they physically punish quarantine violators and claimed they are instead giving them lectures or asking them to do community service.
“Lumalabas sa investigation namin, wala sa mga tao namin na naka-duty, bantay nila during that night na nagpagawa o nag-utos na mag-physical exercise ang mga violator… Ang sa amin, nire-release namin ‘yung tao in good physical condition,” he told CNN Philippines.
But Luceña is not buying the police’s explanation as he was quoted as saying: “Sino bang kriminal ang aamin sa ginawa nilang krimen? Diyos na bahala sa kanila.”
Among those who was nabbed together with Peñaredondo confirmed that although they were indeed given lectures on COVID-19 guidelines, they were then forced to do strenuous exercise, according to report by ABS-CBN News.
Rappler also reported that Peñaredondo succumbed to stroke and a heart condition, according to his death certificate.
Meanwhile, the Department of Interior and Local Government has directed the Philippine National Police to conduct an investigation into the incident.
April 7, Wednesday
On Wednesday, Solero is relieved from his post after two violators testified that they were asked to do knee bended exercises by Police Corporals Jerome Vibar and Kenneth Mercene, who were earlier sacked pending investigation.
The two cops are accused of requiring Peñaredondo and seven other quarantine violators to do excessive exercises, according to a statement of the country’s national police.
This is a developing story.
