MANILA, Philippines — Despite the presence of gunpowder nitrates on his right hand, 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz could not have fought back against Caloocan City police according to the autopsy report of the Northern Police District.
The Northern Police District has jurisdiction over the police stations in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela.
Chief Inspector Jocelyn Cruz, who examined the body of Cruz 10 days after he was killed, said the victim sustained five gunshot wounds — four in his chest and one in his abdomen.
“Almost all of the gunshot wounds were going upwards, which would indicate that the possible assailant could be in standing position while the victim (Arnaiz) is on lower position,” Cruz told the Senate Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs on Tuesday during the continuation of hearings on deaths in anti-illegal drug operations.
READ: PNP: Carl Arnaiz tested positive for gunpowder nitrates
Aside from the gunshot wounds, Cruz also found a hematoma (bruising) on Arnaiz's right eye, abrasion on his upper eyelid and contusion (also a kind of bruising) on his wrist, which suggested that the teenager was handcuffed and manhandled before he was killed.
Arnaiz is also believed to have been dragged based on the linear pattern and one direction abrasion found on the lower back part of his body.
Cruz said that based on her professional opinion, it is nearly impossible for Cruz to have fought back, contrary to a spot report prepared by Caloocan City cops.
“Based on the body of the victim, the victim was unable to fight back that, maybe he had a difficulty fighting back,” Cruz said.
WATCH: Cab driver allegedly robbed by Carl Arnaiz explains what happened
Arnaiz was killed after he allegedly robbed a taxi driver in Caloocan City during the wee hours of August 18. Responding cops claimed that the teenager fired at them using a cal .38 gun, forcing them to shoot back.
A police autopsy found indications that Arnaiz was handcuffed and manhandled before he was shot. Photo from his Facebook account
A paraffin test by the Philippine National Police Crime Laboratory, meanwhile, showed that Arnaiz tested positive for gunpowder nitrates.
Autopsy confirm PAO's forensic analysis
The observation of Cruz was same as the result of the forensic analysis done by the Public Attorney’s Office, which also believes that Arnaiz was tortured before he was killed.
"We performed forensic analysis of the gunshot wounds and other injuries of Carl Angelo Arnaiz last Sunday upon the request of the family. On examination of the body of Carl, we noted five gunshot wounds, three on the middle of the chest, one on the left side of the chest and one on the back portion of the upper arm of the victim," Erwin Erfe, chief of the PAO forensic laboratory services said in the same hearing.
"We also noted marks of handcuffs on the wrists of Carl, also swollen eyes, contusions of both eyes and extensive drag marks or abrasions, gasgas po sa likod, indicating that he may have been dragged," he added.
The death of Arnaiz happened two days after another teenager, Kian delos Santos, was killed by Caloocan City cops in a "One Time, Big Time" operation.
Their deaths are now under investigation by different agencies, including the National of Bureau of Investigation.
PNP Director General Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa said that "any use of excessive force is unjustified."