Ex-Caloocan cop on trial for teens’ murder dies in hospital

One of the two former Caloocan City policemen on trial for the alleged murder, torture and frameup of teenagers Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman has died after weeks of confinement at Valenzuela Medical Center.

Ricky Arquilita, who held the rank of Police Patrolman before his dismissal from the service, died on April 22 due to multiple complications, including “massive blood loss, upper gastrointestinal bleeding,” gall stones in the bile duct and “multiple liver nodules that were possibly malignant,” according to his death certificate. He was 33 years old.

The Inquirer went to his wake at his house in Kaunlaran Village, Caloocan City, but his family asked for privacy.

Arquilita’s death was confirmed by Police Col. Ramil Vestra, warden of the Valenzuela City Jail, where the former lawman was detained for 11 months.

Vestra said that Arquilita had been in the hospital since March 29 after he was diagnosed with anemia, cholangitis or inflammation of the bile duct and viral Hepatitis B.

Juan Antonio Sta. Cruz, Navotas Regional Trial Court Branch 287 clerk, said that once the court receives Arquilita’s death certificate, the murder case against him would be dismissed. Vestra said he sent the document earlier this week.