Sentidokomon

http://www.philippinenews.com posted by PinoyMD

SAN JOSE — Dozens of Filipino Americans massed here in front of the Superior Court on Hedding street last Tuesday, May 15, to protest the alleged police brutality and unjust racial profiling of members of the Custodio family.

Single mom Marilou Alvarado Custodio, 50, and her two sons, Marlo, 18, and Romel, 25, accused members of the San Jose Police Department of beating them up while they were at the Evergreen Valley Park. Their complaint alleged one officer choked and tasered Marlo even while he was following police orders, while another officer slammed Marilou’s head against a police car three times. It happened February 5 between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.

“This is definitely a case of racial profiling,� said San Jose State University professor Peter Chua, organizer of the Justice for Custodio Family Campaign.

Supporters of the Custodio family said Marilou suffered post-traumatic anxiety and trauma due to the police beating.

By their account, Marlo and a friend were just sitting in the park. The next thing they knew, the police were there and asked them to step out. Marlo complied and called out to his mother and brother who promptly came on the scene.

“Five officers swarmed, tackled and brutalized Romel. Already pacified, Romel was still tasered with three weapons for 40 seconds (over the usual time limit) and had to seek medical treatment for physical injury and taser burns,� Custodio supporters said.

The SJPD later arrested Marlo, Romel and Marilou. The motive remains unclear as of this writing. SJPD directed this reporter to the District Attorney’s office for official comment. Assistant DA David Howe said that since criminal prosecution is ongoing, details are not immediately available except for what’s on record in Docket #CC756870. The court adjourns hearing on June 26.

Chua said the Custodio supporters are working to get the DA to drop the resisting arrest charges against the family and to charge the six police officers who committed brutality and the two officers who witnessed the attack. Other supporters also said the six officers were white and were later joined by a Hispanic officer and an Asian officer.

Marlo was present at the rally only to express his family’s gratitude for the support from the FilAm community. He was advised by lawyers from discussing the details of the case.

The National Federation of Filipino American Associations, or NaFFAA, did not return Philippine News’ repeated requests for a statement. For now, the Custodio family is banking mostly on the support of San Jose-based FilAms.