PNP backs NBI probe on killed teenagers

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net FILE PHOTO

In a bid to allay fears of a “whitewash” on the cases of Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman, the Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed on Thursday to support the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in the conduct of its own investigation on the killing of the teenagers.

PNP spokesperson and Public Information Office head Chief Supt. Dionardo Carlos said they welcome the NBI investigation especially since policemen are being linked in the gruesome deaths of Arnaiz and De Guzman.

“The PNP will be supporting the conduct of investigation by the NBI as ordered by the President,” Carlos said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

“This is, in a way, para maalis yung agam-agam, o sasabihing po-protektahan o whitewash…mas tama nga po yun e, that another law enforcement agency will conduct an investigation kapag involved naman po yung ating miyembro (This is, in a way, to remove doubts, apprehensions, or some would say we are protecting, or whitewashing the probe. It is better that another law enforcement agency will conduct an investigation when those involved are our members.),” Carlos added.

Carlos said PNP chief Ronald dela Rosa has already instructed the Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management to form a Special Investigation Task Group under the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) to assist the NBI.

“Whatever the result, we will be supporting the investigation being conducted by the NBI,” Carlos said.

Arnaiz, 19, and De Guzman, 14, disappeared on August 18 after going out for midnight snacks in their neighborhood in Cainta, Rizal.

Arnaiz was found 10 days later in a morgue in Caloocan City. Police said he was killed in a shootout after allegedly robbing a taxi driver.

De Guzman, meanwhile, was found dead on Wednesday, floating in a creek in Gapan City, Nueva Ecija. His head was wrapped in cloth and packing tape while his body sustained multiple stab wounds.

An autopsy by the Public Attorney’s Office showed the boy’s body was thrown into the river less than 24 hours after he was killed. KGA

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