PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. Image from PNP
MANILA, Philippines — We are observing all the due process procedures in this case.
So said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Guillermo Eleazar in response to the complaint of the mother of Edwin Arnigo, an 18-year-old with special needs, who was killed by police officers during an illegal cockfighting raid in Valenzuela.
The mother, Helen Arnigo, was surprised to learn that the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) had recommended that Police Senior Master Sergeant Christopher Salcedo, one of the four policemen responsible for the death of her son, be given a 40-day suspension as punishment.
Eleazar said the case against Salcedo is still “under review.”
Edwin was shot during an illegal cockfighting raid in Valenzuela City back in May.
READ: Teen with special needs killed; Valenzuela mayor says cops claim victim tried to grab their gun
The mother of Edwin, Helen Arnigo, also asked Eleazar for assistance in prosecuting those responsible for the death of her son, arguing that harsher penalties were needed.
Eleazar, in a statement, said he “understands” the frustration of Edwin’s family over the punishment to those responsible for his death.
“But just like other results of IAS investigations, this case will still be subjected to two more reviews — under the Discipline, Law and Order Division or DLOD of the DPRM (Directorate for Personnel and Records Management) and under the Office of the Chief PNP — to determine if there are solid legal grounds to justify the recommendations made,” Eleazar explained.
“This is how due process works in your PNP,” he added.
Edwin’s family also requested the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct its separate investigation.
READ: Family of slain teenager with disability seeks NBI probe
The police report claimed that Arnigo tried to grab a police officer’s gun during the scuffle and was shot.
In disputing the police report, Edwin’s family said the victim was afraid of police officers so he could not have been this aggressive.
Helen also deplored that after the incident, her son was dragged to the cockfight area “like a rooster.”
READ: Mom of slain teen with special needs says Valenzuela cops stole son’s shirt to hide evidence