Cops in Arnaiz-De Guzman EJK charged

By Minde Nyl R. Dela Cruz

THE Department of Justice (DOJ) on Friday, Jan. 19, filed charges before the Caloocan Regional Trial Court (RTC) against the two policemen involved in the murder of 19-year-old Carl Angelo M. Arnaiz and 14-year-old Reynaldo “Kulot” D. De Guzman.

“After the requisite preliminary investigation conducted by the panel of prosecutors chaired by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Ma. Emilia L. Victorio, they found probable cause to indict two of the respondents namely PO1 (Police Officer 1) Jeffrey [S.] Perez and PO1 Ricky E. Arquilita,” Acting Prosecutor General Jorge G. Catalan, Jr. said in an interview with the media.

The two cops were charged with two counts of murder; three charges of planting evidence for purportedly placing .38 caliber firearm and packets of marijuana leaves and shabu on Mr. Arnaiz; and two counts of torture for seemingly torturing Messrs. Arnaiz and De Guzman.

The charges against taxi driver Tomas M. Bagcal, on the other hand, were dismissed for “lack of probable cause.” The state prosecution noted that his participation was “involuntary due to uncontrollable fear for his life and that of his family,” the 35-page resolution reads.

Mr. Bagcal’s testimony, along with that of witness, alias Joe Daniel, formed part of the investigation to find sufficient evidence to charge Messrs. Perez and Arquilita.

According to the prosecution panel, “Treachery is attendant in this case. As attested by the witnesses, Carl Angelo was handcuffed at the time he was shot and killed by respondent-police officers, thus, there was no way for him to defend himself or even retaliate.”

The prosecution also found “conspiracy” in the commission of the crime.

“They planned and committed all the crimes with a common desire to eliminate their subjects. They even portrayed that the death of Carl Angelo was the product of a shoot-out in a legitimate police/hot pursuit in order to cover up the intended killings of Carl Angelo and Reynaldo [alias] ‘Kulot,’” the resolution read.

On Aug. 28, 2017, Mr. Arnaiz was found in a funeral parlor in Caloocan City. The police claimed he was killed in a legitimate operation for having held up Mr. Bagcal.

Mr. De Guzman, meanwhile, was found floating in a creek on Sept. 6, after missing for more than two weeks. He sustained 28 stab wounds.

Based on the claims of alias Joe Daniel, the two policemen shot Mr. Arnaiz, while he was handcuffed and kneeling, five times and placed a gun in his hand. Mr. De Guzman was apprehended with Mr. Arnaiz and was last seen in the police mobile of Caloocan police.