6 days ago
Caloocan police open to complaint over viral illegal gambling arrest
The Caloocan City Police Station on Tuesday said it welcomes the possible filing of a complaint if there were lapses on the part of authorities in notifying the relatives of a man who was detained over alleged illegal gambling amid heavy flooding in Malabon City.
Dion Angelo dela Rosa, son of the former detainee Jayson, died due to leptospirosis after he waded through floodwaters as he searched for his father.
"While we strive to uphold all procedures and respect the rights of every citizen, if there were lapses committed by any member of our personnel—particularly in informing relatives during the arrest—we encourage the filing of a formal complaint," the Caloocan police said in a statement.
"Any allegation of misconduct will be thoroughly investigated, and necessary disciplinary actions will be taken as appropriate," it added.
In a social media post, Cardinal Pablo Virgilio David decried the death of Dion, who he said was also known as Gelo and an altar server at Señor de Longos Mission Station.
"They had no idea that Gelo's father had been arrested without a warrant and was detained for allegedly violating PD 1602—accused of engaging in illegal gambling. He was supposedly caught playing kara y krus," David said.
"This law against illegal gambling, passed during the time of the late father of the current president of the Philippines in 1978, was said to be a protection for the poor against the vice of gambling. Yet decades later, not a single major gambling lord has been arrested. The poor remain the only victims of this law—just like during the Tokhang days, when quotas on drug suspects became the ticket for promotion," he added.
In response, the Caloocan police said Dion's death due to leptospirosis is not related to the arrest of his father.
The Caloocan police added that the "health-related incident occurred under different circumstances that have no causal connection to the police operation."
READ | DOH warns vs. expected rise in PH leptospirosis
During the height of heavy rains due to the Southwest Monsoon and successive tropical cyclones, Jayson was not able to return home to Malabon on July 22.
When the family asked assistance from the Caloocan police on July 24, the police said it has no record of Jayson. The Caloocan police said Jayson was arrested only on July 25. Dion on the same date found his father.
Jayson was detained at a police substation after he was arrested for playing kaya y krus (coin toss), which is a form of illegal gambling under an old Philippine law.
On July 27, Dion had a fever and body aches. He slept after eating. He was later found dead after a cardiac arrest due to leptospirosis.
Jayson was released from detention on August 2.
The Department of Health is currently on alert for a projected rise in leptospirosos in the county — VDV, GMA Integrated News
