Teen with special needs killed; Valenzuela mayor says cops claim victim tried to grab their gun

MANILA, Philippines — An 18-year old boy with special needs was allegedly killed by local police over the weekend, now Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian said cops claim the victim tried to grab their gun so they shot him.

In a radio interview, Gatchalian narrated details he received regarding the death of Edwin Cabantugan Arnigo on Sunday following an incident at an illegal cockfighting event in Valenzuela City. Arnigo was brought to the Valenzuela Medical Center where he was declared dead.

The victim’s mother, however, contradicted the police’s claim, Gatchalian said.

“Ang allegation ng pulis, ‘yung young adult na iyon ang kaagaw. Nagkaroon pa ng scuffle, gumulong-gulong pa sila nung pulis bago nagkaroon ng barilan,” Gatchalian told radio DZBB on Monday.

(The police’s allegation is that the young adult tried to grab their gun. That a scuffle ensued; that they even tumbled to the ground before the shooting happened.)

“Sabi nung nanay ‘yung special child nilang anak, takot sa pulis ‘yon, so hindi ‘yun pupunta, makikipag-away sa pulis, ‘yun ang sinasabi, dun ako napatigil sa storya niya,” he added.

(The mother said their special child is afraid of the police, so he would not go there to fight the cops. That’s what she said, and I was taken aback by her story.)

Gatchalian vowed the local government will get to the bottom of the incident.

“Ang kaya ko i-assure sa inyo, I will get [to] the bottom of this. Whatever needs to be done, will be done,” he said. (What I can assure you is that I will get to the bottom of this. Whatever needs to be done will be done.)

Gatchalian also said the police officers involved in Arnigo’s case are now under “restrictive custody,” in accordance with the police’s standard operating procedure.

KGA