Inmate dies of internal hemorrhage in Bulacan jail

A man detained for multiple criminal charges had died of internal hemorrhage in the brain while inside his cell in a Bulacan jail, according to a television report on Thursday evening.

An exclusive report by GMA News' Emil Sumangil on "24 Oras" identified the victim as Mark Larrson Castillo, 21, citing a death certificate, which also indicated internal hemorrhage in the head as the cause of death.

However, Castillo's mother, Mary Jane, questioned the worsening condition of her son within eight days before he died.

She said her son appeared paler and weaker each time she visits the jail, and that she had reported the matter to the police. 

“Yung anak ko po, nakakaramdam na ng hindi maganda. ‘Mama pa-doctor mo ako, masama ang pakiramdam ko’ sabi niyang ganyan. Nagtataka ako bakit nalulumpo na yung anak ko? Binubuhat na nila mula dun sa loob palabas,” Mary Jane said.

She recalled bringing food on January 28 to Castillo, who appeared to be dying.

“Bakit ganon? Kanina kausap ko lang, ngayon wala nang buhay? Tapos pinilit ko pa na buksan na namin yung pinto para itakbo na namin, yung nagbabantay sabi nasa CR pa raw,” Mary Jane said, adding that her son's life could have been saved.

“Sana itinawag nila sa akin na may nangyayari sa loob para at least naaagapan ko pa kahit konti yung anak ko. Binigay ang anak ko maitim na ang kamay,” she said.

The report said the family has yet to receive the autopsy report, but pictures of Castillo at the funeral parlor showed numerous cigarette burns on the arms and bruises in the neck area and some parts of the body.

“Napakasakit talaga na mawala siya sa amin. Yun, araw-araw iniiyakan ko talaga sobra. Kasi yung iniwanang bata maliit pa,” Mary Jane said.

Meanwhile, a report from the police department's Investigation Division said Castillo died of seizure after bumping his head hard against the wall of his prison cell many times.

Mary Jane doubted the police account of her son's death and vowed to press charges against them and Brgy. San Pedro chairman Criztopher Tiu.

She admitted that her son was on the the barangay drug watch list, but his arrest should have been done more properly.

“Pinalo po niya ng baril sa kamay, para yung anak ko maka bitaw, tapos pagkabitaw nahulog pa nga yung baril nung kapitan eh. Dinampot pa nung tanod,” she said.

Tiu clarified he did not shoot Castillo while arresting him.

“Ang kapitan allowed naman talaga magdala ng baril pero kasi nga yung report sa amin ng tanod may kutsilyo. Kami naman allowed to enforce the law, pero kahit saan mo tngnan hindi ko naman binaril," Tiu said. —Joseph Tristan Roxas/LBG, GAM News