Man with mental disability allegedly tortured to death by barangay kagawad

A man said to have a mental disability died after allegedly being tortured and hurt when he was caught on theft charges: the suspects, a civilian, and a barangay councilor in Coron, Palawan.

In a report by Emil Sumangil on GMA News “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the victim was identified as Carlo Layaog, 23-years-old.

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Layaog was allegedly arrested for stealing a cable in Barangay 3 in Coron.

In the video released by the police, Layaog can be seen sitting while the suspects question him about his alleged theft.

The victim was even threatened to cut off his hand with a saw.

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In another video, the victim can be seen being spoken to give a message to another thief.

“Sa mga kapwa ko magnanakaw, wag na kayo magnakaw, kung gusto niyo magnakaw magsitago-tago na kayo,” said Layaog.

According to Police Captain Ervin Plando, chief of the Coron police station, they noticed that Layaog was already weak when his captors brought him to them.

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Man with mental disability allegedly tortured to death by barangay kagawad

So he sent Layaog to the hospital for examination. But the victim later died due to traumatic brain injuries.

Layaog’s relatives were angry, asking why the victim had to be hurt and not taken to the police if he had committed a crime.

Plando said they filed an anti-torture complaint against barangay councilor Paul John Abe and another civilian.

The complaint was allegedly based on the result of the victim’s medico-legal report and death certificate. It is also said to be in line with the witness’s statement about what happened to Layaog.

On the other hand, Abe refused to give a statement and said that only the lawyer would answer for him.

While his companion has not yet issued a statement.

The victim’s lawyer, Attorney Lourdes Benipayo, said the Layaog family wants to file a murder case against the suspects.

“They did not see him take the cables. ‘Yang victim known around the area as somebody na may kapansanan sa mind, so he’s a little slow,” explained Benipayo.

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