12 police officers in Pasay City are facing charges following the death of a suspect identified as John Paul Magat, from Macabebe, Pampanga, on August 5. The suspect died after being restrained inside a convenience store where he went on a rampage and damaged goods.
According to PCol. Joselito de Sesto, employees called the police after Magat entered the store's stock room and caused a disturbance. Two personnel from the Southern Police District Mobile Force Battalion (SPD-MFB) arrested him and CCTV footage shows him being pinned down before being handcuffed.
Upon arrival at the police station, Magat complained of difficulty breathing. He was taken to the Pasay City General Hospital and pronounced dead at around 9:40 p.m. Initially, the medical report stated that the cause of death was heart attack. However, a forensic exam revealed that the cause of death was asphyxia or suffocation due to manual strangulation.
The 12 police officers were charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, while the 2 SPD-MFB personnel were additionally charged with maltreatment of prisoners. De Sesto clarified that manual strangulation does not mean strangulation by hand, but rather that the victim's neck was possibly crushed.
All 12 police officers were removed from their posts, stripped of their firearms, and placed under administrative investigation. According to de Sesto, they may face grave misconduct. He reminded commanders that once the suspect is restrained, excessive force should not be used.
