Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa advised critics of the anti-illegal drug campaign to conduct protests in slum areas instead of rallying in front of the PNP headquarters in Camp Crame.
“Okay lang. They are free to voice their sentiments. Mag-appeal din ako sa kanila.” he said.
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“Instead of going to the police, punta sila sa slum areas at doon sila mag-people power,” he added.
His remarks came amid calls to stop the bloody war on drugs, especially after the sudden increase in the number of deaths in Metro Manila and Bulacan.
One of the most recent victims was 17-year-old Kian Lloyd delos Santos, who was killed by cops with the “nanlaban” excuse.
Another case involved the 19-year-old former UP student Carl Angelo Arnaiz, who was found dead on August 28 after going missing for days. His body was recovered in a dark, grassy area along C-3 Road Caloocan.
Just like with Kian’s case, Carl’s autopsy reports did not match what supposedly happened with him as narrated by a police report.
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The police report said that Carl was killed in a shootout after allegedly robbing a taxi driver. The cops were said to have found 5 packs of shabu and marijuana among Carl’s belongings.
However, Carl’s parents said that the teenager was only into smoking but not illegal drugs.
Dela Rosa also appealed to TokHang critics not to judge the cops involved in Carl’s death.
Police Officers 1 Jeffrey Perez and Ricky Arquilita are accused of torturing and killing Carl. They are currently relieved from their posts and ordered to transfer to Camp Bagong Diwa in Taguig City.
“(I) caution every one not (to) quickly condemn our policemen. Ibang-iba po ang kaso na iyan [ni Arnaiz]. That is a case of police response, nag-responde po sila dahil may taxi driver na hinoldap at pagdating doon sa area, itinuro ng taxi driver, ‘Iyan sir ang nangholdap sa akin.’ Noong akmang i-a-accost, nakipagbarilan,” dela Rosa said.
According to the autopsy conducted by the Public Attorneys’ Office, Carl was shot five times – three times in the chest, once in his right arm, and once in his left side.
Dr. Erwin Erfe, who led PAO’s forensic team that examined Carl’s body, said that the teenager’s two chest wounds indicated that he was kneeling when shot. His wound in the right arm probably came from trying to block the shot. The other two shots were made while Carl was already on the ground.
“Anywhere sa gitna [of the chest], kapag tinamaan ka, patay,” Erfe said.
Erfe also said that Carl had a prominent handcuff mark.
“He was also dragged because there are several abrasions on different parts of his body,” Erfe told reporters.
Carl’s family has asked PAO to investigate the case.
Sources: ( interaksyon.com , gmanetwork.com , abs-cbn.com )
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