ILOILO City – What exactly led to the death of Genesis Argoncillo while in detention in Quezon City remains unclear. But one thing his family in Concepcion, Iloilo is certain: they want justice for the death of the man they fondly call “Tisoy.”
His elder sister, Jane Argoncillo-Azuelo, appealed to President Rodrigo Duterte for compassion and help.
“Ginoong Presidente, maluoy ka, tagaan mo naman sang hustisya ang pagkapatay ka utod ko kay indi man matuod nga may salâ sia,” Azuelo said when interviewed by Panay News on Saturday.
Argoncillo’s remains arrived from Manila at the Iloilo Domestic Port in Fort San Pedro at around 5:30 a.m. Saturday. They were then brought home to Barangay Bagongon, Concepcion, Iloilo.
The 25-year-old was arrested on June 15 allegedly in line with “Oplan Galugad” – a police operation against loiterers – in Novaliches.
Officers reportedly caught him shirtless. He was detained at Station 4 of the Quezon City Police District. He died days later.
The Quezon City police insisted that Argoncillo complained of shortness of breath and was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
But based on his death certificate, Tisoy died of “multiple blunt force trauma” – indicating that he was physically assaulted – Manila-based media have reported.
Police accused her brother of being “drunk and unruly,” Azuelo said.
But this was not true, according to his neighbors, she said.
“Tanan, pati tindahan, mga kaingod ya balay, nagahambal nga wala sang kamatuoran [ang hambal sang pulis],” Azuelo told Panay News.
“Nagapanghugas [kamot] lang ang mga pulis. Ang matuod nagpa-load lang sia, tapos nagapungko sia samtang gahulat sang load sang nagsamput ang pulis,” she added.
A police officer forced him to hold a bottle of liquor and took a photo of him, Azuelo said, citing accounts from Argoncillo’s Novaliches neighborhood.
The ninth of 11 siblings, Argoncillo was a “good and loving” man, Azuelo said.
He has been in Metro Manila for seven years working in a repair shop owned by his uncle, she added.
The sister believed the Quezon City police and his Station 4 detainees were behind the death of Argoncillo.
“Mr. President, dapat ang tanan nga pulis kag preso nga sangkot, pahalinon sa pwesto, kuhaan lisensya, forever indi na sila ka trabaho kag mapreso sila asta sa kamatayon nila,” a visibly enraged Azuelo said.
President Duterte on June 13 ordered the Philippine National Police to be strict with tambay – persons who loiter on the streets, even at night – to reduce crime and maintain peace and order.
In the ensuing days the number of people arrested for violating local ordinances reached almost 27,000 in the National Capital Region.
They included people caught smoking in public, drinking in public places or roaming around half-naked, and minors found outside their houses despite the curfew.
Bryan Bosque, chairman of the militant group Anakbayan – Panay, condemned the death of Argoncillo. He blamed Duterte.
“Indi ini matabo kay Genesis Argoncillo kon wala mismo mando ni President Duterte,” Bosque said.
He also criticized the “culture of impunity” that pervades the police and military forces and “continues to harm civilians.”
Bosque said Argoncillo was a victim of a “baseless” campaign and “show-off” police officers./PN
