7 cops dismissed over death of altar boy who contracted leptospirosis while looking for detained father during flood
The National Police Commission has axed seven Caloocan City police officers over their actions that led to the death of Dion Angelo Dela Rosa, who contracted leptospirosis while wading through the floods in search of his detained father.
Napolcom Vice Chairperson and Executive Officer Ralph Calinisan said in a press briefing on Dec. 11 that the cops involved were found guilty of grave misconduct, grave dishonesty, incompetence, oppression, and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
“The findings reveal a clear abuse of power and a blatant disregard for due process and human rights. Such actions have no place in the police service,” Calinisan said.
The violations stem from the unlawful detention, falsified documentation, and fabricated criminal charges against Jayson Fernandez Dela Rosa in July.
According to a GMA News report in the same month, Dion waded through floods amid the southwest monsoon and consecutive storms when his father didn't return to their home in Malabon on July 22.
The 20-year-old searched the flooded streets of Caloocan for three days until he found his father detained at the substation for allegedly playing kara y krus, which is considered a form of illegal gambling, on July 25. Jayson's family said they didn't receive any information about his arrest.
Two days after, Dion had a fever and body aches, and later died after a cardiac arrest as a result of his leptospirosis. The doctor said Dion had a wound in his foot which had developed into an athlete's foot (alipunga) after being exposed to floodwaters.
During the press briefing, Jayson said that he does not fully blame the police for the death of his son. "Hindi ko naman po direkta na sinisisi 'yung kapulisan sa pagkawala ng anak ko, pero sana hindi na po maulit... Hayaan nila na malaman ng pamilya."
Meanwhile, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David, who accompanied Jayson in filing complaints against the policemen in August, called the ruling a "positive development."
"Ang mga dukha, mga mahihirap, madalas ma-bully. Dito, nagkakaroon tayo ng pag-asa na pwede palang umandar ang ating sistema ng gobyerno.