The Commission on Human Rights Central Visayas (CHR-7) announced today that they will investigate the viral video of a man being beaten up by suspected police officers last Holy Thursday in Barangay (Village) Talamban, Cebu City.
CHR-7 director Atty. Arvin Odron said the video can be considered as evidence of possible abuse and torture by the police, Cebu Daily News reported. The man beaten up in the CCTV footage was identified as 28-year-old Eddie Basillote, a drug suspect.
The CCTV footage that made rounds online shows six armed men punching, elbowing, and kicking Basillote. At one point, one of the men also hits Basillote with a firearm.
The footage also reveals that a woman carrying an infant witnessed the mauling.
Odron told CNN Philippines that authorities have created a task force that will look into the incident and verify the identities of the suspected policemen involved in the video. They may be held liable for violation of Republic Act No. 9745 or the Anti-Torture Act.
Odron believes that cops were behind the act as the victim is now currently detained at the Talamban Police Station. Talamban Police Station chief Police Major Elisandro Quijano, however, denied the allegation, SunStar reported.
Cebu City Mayor Tommy Osmeña said on his official Facebook page today that there is a PHP100,000 (US$1,918.28) reward ready for anyone who can identify the personnel involved in the incident.
