📷: Karapatan
Former Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate condemned the alleged torture and abuse of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) while detained at the Manila Police District (MPD) following their arrest during the September 21 protest actions.
Reports indicate that PWDs, including Edzel Santos, son of a Bayan Muna member from Tondo, Manila, have been subjected to beatings, suffocation, forced labor, and other forms of cruel and degrading treatment while in detention.
“Ang ginagawa sa mga PWD na detainees habang naka detain sa MPD ay hindi lamang paglabag sa kanilang karapatan bilang mga taong may kapansanan, kundi paglabag din sa pinakamababang pamantayan ng pagkatao,” Zarate said. “These vulnerable individuals should be receiving protection and care, not violence and humiliation.”
According to KARAPATAN reports, Edzel Santos was beaten and suffocated with a bag over his head, sustaining multiple injuries. The abuse may be connected to his mother Myra’s participation in a press conference denouncing police brutality.
“Posibleng pinag-initan si Edzel dahil nagsalita ang kanyang nanay sa press conference. Ito ay isang klaro at malinaw na pagganti ng estado laban sa mga pamilyang lumalaban para sa hustisya,” Tinio stated.
Other PWDs in custody, including Alexis Bisuyo and Alvin Karingal, have also sustained injuries during police interrogation. Medical professionals seeking to treat the detainees have been barred from entering the facility.
“The systematic violence against the poor and marginalized, particularly PWDs, exposes the true fascist character of the state,” Zarate emphasized. “Walang pagkakaiba ang ginagawa nila sa mga PWD sa ginagawa ng mga pasista sa kasaysayan.”
The former lawmaker called for the immediate release of all illegally arrested protesters and a full independent investigation into the torture allegations.
“Ang mga PWD ay dapat protektahan ng estado, hindi apihin. This barbaric treatment must end now,” Zarate concluded.#
