Family to file charges vs PNP medico-legal officer

The family of 23-year-old Mario Alfie Ducayag said they will file charges against the medico-legal officer of the Philippine National Police over his findings on the young man's death. Ducayag's elder sister Marie Shantylle said Dr. Nestor Sator has to be held answerable for an alleged “malicious” report he gave on what caused her brother's death. She said Sator's autopsy report is “not factual and truthful.” “I believe there is something fishy about his (Sator) report. There was a malicious intent (to hide the real cause of death). We don't expect him to make mistakes since he is an expert who conducts autopsies for about 20 years now,” she said. Ducayag was beaten up by security guards after he was suspected of shoplifting a pair of slippers at a downtown Cebu City mall. An autopsy report by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) showed that the beatings caused Ducayag's death. Marie Shantylle said they will file a complaint against Sator before the Ombudsman-Visayas. Sator conducted the first autopsy on Ducayag and concluded that “asphyxia due to pulmonary tuberculosis” caused his death. Unconvinced by the report, Ducayag's family sought the NBI's assistance. NBI medico-legal officer Dr. Rene Cam and former NBI medico-legal officer Dr. Gil Macato found out that the man died due to “traumatic neck injuries.” Both Cam and Macato also learned that Ducayag had a collapsed left lung, as well as bruised palms, right shoulder, back, and chest. Cam said Sator failed to see the dislocation of the cervical vertebrae in his autopsy. Marie Shantylle said they could not believe Sator's findings since her brother had no tuberculosis. She said they will also pursue the charges against the four security guards of Metro Gaisano who allegedly mauled her brother. Ducayag was allegedly sustained several bruises after he was apprehended for purportedly taking a pair of sandals inside the mall. The item allegedly had no receipt, prompting a lady guard of Metro Gaisano to hold Ducayag for questioning. Ducayag's mother Fe Soledad said she and her family will never agree to any settlement from the mall officials. “It's a big no. I'm looking for justice here. They killed my son. They ended my son's future,” she told Cebu Daily News. Female security guard Margie Gaser appeared before NBI-7 Agent Bernard dela Cruz last week to explain that she apprehended Ducayag after he failed to show a receipt for the Sandugo sandals which he purchased. Ducayag was turned over to the custody of mall security officer who likewise act as mall detectives. At least six mall employees went to the NBI to help in the investigation. Considered as suspects by the NBI-7 are 30-year-old chief security Mauricio Doblados Jr.; security guards Jeffrey Aquino, Melvin Boyles, and Cesar Lerio. The four security guards were summoned by the NBI to appear before their office in order to answer the allegations levelled against them by Ducayag’s family. Reporter Ador Vincent Mayol