Forensic examination by the Public Attorney’s Office indicated that Arnaiz bore signs of torture before he was shot five times, execution-style, directly contravening the Caloocan police’s version of the incident.
Carl Angelo Arnaiz’s family and friends are outraged over how the police has portrayed 19-year-old, who died in an alleged encounter with law enforcers, as a hold-up suspect and drug user.
The police account indicated that the former University of the Philippines student tried to rob a taxi driver in the wee hours of the morning on August 18, ran away, then opened fire at police who tried to apprehend him.
In their official report, police also claimed the teenager was carrying packets of marijuana and shabu.
To the Arnaiz family, that certainly doesn’t sound like Carlo at all.
His grandmother said: “Hindi nya kayang gawin yun. Parang di nga kayang maka basag ng plato yun eh (He is not capable of doing that. He can’t even break a plate).”
Arnaiz’s parents found his body at a Caloocan City morgue 10 days after he was reported missing from his hometown of Cainta in Rizal.
His close friend – 14-year old Reynaldo de Guzman, who also disappeared with him that night – has yet to be found.
Forensic examination by the Public Attorney’s Office indicated that Arnaiz bore signs of torture before he was shot five times, execution-style.
PAO’s report directly contravenes the Caloocan police’s version of events – uncannily reminiscent of the recent case of Kian Loyd delos Santos.
The forensics indicated that, just like in the case of Kian, Gelo – as he was known to family – was likely in a kneeling position or lying down when shot.
PAO chief Persida Acosta also cast doubt on the testimony of the taxi driver, who claimed Arnaiz assaulted him with a gun.
Acosta pointed out the similarities between the two incidents: “The common denominator includes both having a parent who is working overseas, both are good-looking, both incidents happened in Caloocan City, and both shared the circumstantial style of death suffered.
The Liberal Party has issued a statement, saying, “we are outraged by the killing of another young man, which puts to question anew whether the authorities tasked to serve and protect the people have become hitmen.”
The Department of Justice has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to look into the circumstances of Arnaiz’s death, even as Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa downplayed comparisons between the two cases.
National Capital Region Police Office Director Oscar Albayalde has relieved the officers accused of killing Arnaiz.
The Arnaiz family has also asked to be admitted to the Witness Protection Program while the investigation is ongoing.
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