ACTING PNP chief Lt. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. has ordered a probe into the alleged torture of Persons with Disability supposedly involving Manila Police District (MPD) policemen.
In a press briefing at Camp Crame, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Randulf Tuaño said Nartatez ordered the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) and the PNP Human Rights Affairs Office (HRAO) to conduct separate probes.
The human rights group Karapatan earlier denounced the “torture, forced labor, and other cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” against PWDs who are in the custody of the MPD.
Karapatan said the PWDs were subjected to beatings and were forced to perform “degrading tasks” and forced to admit guilt.
It also claimed that policemen extorted money from the PWDs in exchange for protection from further harm.
The PWDs, Karapatan said, were among the suspects arrested by the PNP in relation to the violent protest against anomalous flood control projects in Mendiola, Manila, last September 21.
More than 200 rioters were arrested in the incident, which also left nearly 100 policemen injured.
Tuaño said it may be “impossible” for the policemen to torture the suspects, noting that they are represented by lawyers.
“The message of our (acting) chief PNP, Lt. Gen. Nartatez, is that the PNP will never tolerate torture, physical abuse, extortion,” said Tuaño.
“Our acting chief PNP has ordered IAS and HRAO to conduct a separate investigation, look into the concern of Karapatan,” said Tuaño.
