Family decries medical neglect of detained elderly tagged as ‘terrorist’

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Seventy-four-year-old Tomas Dominado, tagged as a “terrorist” by authorities, was put behind bars instead of receiving hospital treatment despite his worsening health conditions, prompting an outcry from his family.  

His daughter, Tamara Michelle Dominado, described in a Facebook post how cops, jail officers, and the court allegedly neglected her father’s medical needs after he was arrested by the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) on December 5. 

He was diagnosed with hypertensive cardiovascular disease and survived a stroke in 2023, which rendered the right side of his body paralyzed. 

Tomas, on his wheelchair, was arrested in Barangay San Jose, Arevalo district and was then detained at the ICPO Station 6. His family claimed he suffered medical complications while in detention: 

• December 5: His blood pressure spiked and he was taken to the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) before he was taken to police custody. 
• December 6: WVMC issued a medical certificate upon the police’s request. Tomas’s family received a copy of the same certificate on December 9. 
• December 7: Tomas complained of difficulty in breathing and had swelling in his legs. 
• December 8: He was taken to the Iloilo Doctors Hospital (IDH), where another medical certificate was issued recommending his immediate medical attention. The ICPO Station 6 asked the family for a formal letter to request the use of a transport vehicle.
• December 9: Tomas was transported in the police-provided ambulance, which his family believed would take him to a hospital. To the family’s surprise, Tomas was brought by the authorities to the Regional Trial Court (RTC) in Mambusao, Capiz. 

The RTC ordered Tomas’ transfer to the Iloilo District Jail of the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) in Nanga, Pototan. 

Before this, he was briefly taken to Iloilo Provincial Hospital (IPH) in Barangay Rumbang, Pototan, for another medical assessment as the BJMP refused custody due to the lack of a recent medical certificate.

Police authorities were not able to present the medical certificates from the WVMC and IDH. The family was only able to bring online copies of the certificates, which was not accepted by the BJMP. 

In the IPH, a new medical certificate was issued, which noted that Tomas had negative medical complications and was fit for remittance to jail. His family alleged that the assessment was far from thorough and that the medical certificate issued was “tampered.” 

“He was brought in for five minutes; only asked his name, no vital signs taken, no history and physical examination done. [The doctor] only needed his name and a medical certificate was handed right away that he is fit to be jailed,” Tamara said. 

Medical release urged

Tomas is currently detained in a regular cell in the BJMP, and his family is calling for his immediate medical release, arguing that incarcerating him amidst his multiple health conditions is dangerous and inhumane.

His legal counsel filed a motion for medical treatment to the RTC on Wednesday, December 11. 

Human rights group Panay Alliance Karapatan also urged authorities to release Tomas from detention as his continued stay inside jail endangers his life. 

The group argued that he needs medical intervention that cannot be adequately provided in detention facilities.

“This blatant disregard for human life and medical ethics constitutes not only a denial of his fundamental rights but also a clear act of abduction under the guise of state authority,” the group stressed. 

“The PNP’s actions are a glaring example of the state’s ongoing repression against activists and human rights defenders,” they added. 

ICPO denies unfair treatment

The ICPO on Tuesday, December 10, denied the alleged unfair treatment of Tomas, asserting that their operation was conducted in strict compliance with established protocols. 

“Proper procedures were observed, including safeguarding his constitutional rights and ensuring his safety and well-being,” it said in a statement. 

The ICPO added that during the post-arrest examination, medical attention was promptly provided by WVMC and the Regional Medical and Dental Unit of the Police Regional Office 6. 

It clarified that the decision to take Tomas to the RTC instead of a hospital was based on evaluations made by licensed medical professionals. 

The ICPO also emphasized that standard operating procedures and judicial directives require arresting officers to personally present the accused along with the warrant to the issuing court.

Tomas faces warrants of arrest for murder with the use of firearms and rebellion. Both warrants were issued by the Mambusao RTC. 

The ICPO alleged Tomas as a Central Committee member of the Communist Party of the Philippines and former Secretary of the Komiteng Rehiyon-Panay. 

Why is he tagged a ‘terrorist’?

In 2021, the Anti-Terrorism Council designated him as a terrorist after being linked to the murder of Ruben Cabunagan and Arturo Tagudinay, and attempted murder of Jodie Mordice, both in 2007. 

During the ICPO operation, Tomas’ caregiver, alias “Jofel,” was also arrested. The police alleged him as a former CTG medic and resident of Barangay Purok 2, Pavia, Iloilo.

The ICPO said Jofel was apprehended for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition and for allegedly violating the Anti-Terrorism Act by providing support to a terrorist organization. 

Panay Alliance Karapatan asserted that the charges against the two individuals are “baseless, fabricated, and politically motivated, exemplifying the systematic misuse of judicial processes to silence activists.” 

They added that the charges against Tomas as “trumped-up,” citing that some co-accused individuals in the two warrants have already been acquitted. – Rappler.com

Rjay Zuriaga Castor is a community journalist and a reporter for the Iloilo-based newspaper Daily Guardian. He is also an Aries Rufo Journalism Fellow at Rappler for 2024.