Former Cebu Province consultant Byron Garcia filed a complaint with the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) 7 against the police for allegedly mistreating him as a senior citizen with a medical condition while he was detained. During a press conference at a hotel in Cebu City on Friday, June 19, 2026, Garcia announced that he submitted the complaint on Thursday, June 18.
This comes after cases were also filed by Dr. Elisse Nicole Catalan, the public health consultant of Cebu Province. Dr. Catalan accused Garcia of making misogynistic statements, body-shaming, and sexist remarks against her and her mother, Governor Pamela Baricuatro, in public posts and videos on Facebook.
Part of his complaint states: “Unlawful treatment of a senior citizen with medical condition while in custody with the custodial police.” Garcia named Talisay City Police Chief Police Lieutenant Colonel Homobono Sayon in his complaint but added that other police personnel may be included as the CHR 7 investigation continues.
Accompanied by his son and lawyer, Jad Garcia, the former consultant said his legal team is reviewing all evidence from his detention. The administrative complaint is currently the focus while other possible cases are being studied.
Garcia recounted that on Thursday, June 11, operatives of the Provincial Intelligence Unit brought him in after his arrest at Talisay Fish Port. His blood sugar registered 270 mg/dL during a medical check at Cebu South Medical Center (CSMC) due to stress, but the police ignored the hospital referral and detained him overnight in the police station’s storage room.
Garcia was transferred to a regular cell at noon on Friday, June 12, to avoid alleged “special treatment.” The room was locked, preventing him from getting his insulin and maintenance medication. His blood sugar rose to 327 mg/dL, and he was brought back to CSMC at 5 p.m., where doctors ordered his transfer to VSMMC due to risk of permanent brain damage.
Garcia was released before noon on Saturday, June 13, after posting bail of P108,000. He immediately posted an online statement accusing the police of maltreatment. On Sunday, June 14, Garcia showed his continuous glucose monitoring data online while confined for an MRI scan to prove the dangerous spike in his blood sugar, while questioning the orders of police superiors.
