MPD detainee death toll hits 55

MANILA, Philippines — Another detainee at the Manila Police District (MPD) has died while in custody in a congested detention facility in Malate.

Joel Luartes, 36, who was detained at the MPD Station 9 for illegal drugs since June 14, died due to septic shock and boils that spread throughout his body, according to a report by homicide investigator Senior Police Officer 3 Jonathan Bautista. 

Luartes’s death means 55 MPD detainees have died while in custody since July 2016 due to poor health and sanitation brought about by congested jails.

The detention cell where Luartes was detained is occupied by 100 detainees even when it was built for only 30.

Luartes was taken to the Ospital ng Maynila on the morning of July 2 due to breathing difficulties. He was pronounced dead before noon.

There were no signs of physical injury on the body, police said.

The detainees’ deaths include 26-year-old Johnny Vallente, a security guard who was detained last June at the MPD Station 11 for estafa and disobedience to authority, but died 12 days later supposedly due to septic shock, a police report said.

But an autopsy report showed Vallente died from blunt force trauma on the head and body. His family is set to file a case against the police for his death.

Vallente’s death followed that of Genesis Argoncillo, who died at the Novaliches police station after his arrest during a police anti-tambay (anti-loitering) operation.

MPD director Chief Superintendent Rolando Anduyan earlier vowed to investigate the detainees’ deaths, as he called on the Manila trial courts to help them decongest the jails by expediting the release of commitment orders.