A former Filipino migrant worker died after allegedly being beaten by police officers in the Philippines.
On August 2, Allan Rafael, who worked in Saudi Arabia before returning to the Philippines following a cancer diagnosis, was arrested at a police checkpoint in Quiapo, Philippines Daily Inquirer reported.
Rafael’s brother Aarun posted on Facebook that police officers allegedly stole Rafael’s watch and forced him to withdraw money from the bank before taking him to Barbosa Police Station.
Aarun claimed that Rafael was beaten up by police and, because he looked thin, forced to confess to involvement in illegal drugs. Aarun and his family went to visit Rafael at the police station on Sunday, when Rafael appeared to be strong. He died the next day.
The Manila Police District (MPD) issued a statement denying that Rafael was beaten up and claiming that he died due to cardiorespiratory arrest. Rafael was taken to Jose Reyes Memorial Hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
“We would like to clarify that the detainee was not subjected to torture or inhumane treatment,” the MPD said in a statement.
The MPD said that, when Rafael was arrested, two sachets of methamphetamine were found in his possession.
“We will faithfully do our duty to ensure that his family and our community will be informed of all our investigative steps to produce a thorough investigation,” the MPD said.