AN American tourist detained for two nights in the Fuente police station in Cebu City died after he complained of difficulty in breathing.
Mark Gerard Pikl, 51, was brought to the Cebu City Medical Center (CCMC) where he was declared dead on Thursday.
The American was detained on charges of unjust vexation and malicious mischief after the hotel where he checked in upon arrival on Nov. 17 complained of his unruly conduct.
The hotel management in barangay Capitol Site called for police assistance saying they had trouble with an American guest who broke into one of the rooms.
Police said Pikl was upset about his arrest, and would not eat well or drink water.
Last Nov. 19, Thursday afternoon, Pikl was brought to the Cebu City Prosecutors’ Office for the filing of charges against him. The process was not completed, so he was brought back to the police cell.
He became rowdy and destroyed a faucet, said PO2 Alexander Terado, the duty desk officer. Terado said he found the detainee having difficulty breathing. At the city hospital, Dr. Ryan Joseph Margaja declared the American dead.
Results of an autopsy will determine the cause of death, said Insp. Hartzel Peter Bellido, chief of Fuente police station.