Manila Police District detainee dies

MANILA, Philippines — A detainee died in one of the detention facilities of the Manila Police District (MPD) Tuesday afternoon.

In a belated report, homicide investigator Police Officer 3 Joel Ascano said Johnny Valiente, 25, was in the MPD Station 11’s facility when he complained of difficulty in breathing at around 2:30 p.m.

Valiente died at the Jose Abad Santos General Hospital at around 3:11 p.m.

The attending physician said Valiente died of septic shock.

Ascano said Valiente was arrested last June 6 after he failed to pay his restaurant bill.

MPD spokesman Superintendent Erwin Margarejo said overcrowding continues to be the reason for the deaths of detainees and unless the courts expedite the commitment orders, “expect more of these incidents to happen.”