Rody meets with Carl’s parents

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday vowed fairness and impartiality in the government’s investigation on the killing of 19-year-old student Carl Angelo Arnaiz by Caloocan policemen last month.

The Chief Executive met Carl’s parents Carlito and Eva Arnaiz at the Palace yesterday afternoon to express his commitment to fair and swift justice for their son, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said.

“He (Duterte) assured them of an impartial investigation,” Aguirre said in a text message.

Aguirre and Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta also joined the meeting.

Carl Angelo’s parents have been accepted for provisional coverage of the witness protection program and are now being provided government security.

Last Monday, Aguirre ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a parallel probe on Carl Angelo’s killing last Aug. 18.

Aguirre’s order came after the probe of PAO suggested that the death of Arnaiz could be another case of murder by police officers, just like that of Kian delos Santos.

“I’m a bit late because (I met with) the parents of Arnaiz, the latest victim of I don’t know who. It is still under investigation. I ordered the secretary of justice to take over the investigation of the case,” Duterte said in remarks before officials and employees of the Social Security System which celebrated its 60th anniversary yesterday.

“I really said we would protect the soldiers and policemen, no doubt. But always there has to be the element of the performance of duty and you do not kill defenseless persons,” he added.

The meeting, which was requested by the Arnaiz family, took place at the Malago Clubhouse at around 3 p.m. and lasted for about 20 minutes, a Palace statement said.

Duterte stressed that he would never tolerate extrajudicial killings, even threatening to shoot those who are into it.

“I’m sorry but I will pursue the case against the police and if need be, they will go to jail. I did not order you to kill the child or the elderly and even the enemy on bended knees. That’s not the norm or the rule of democracy,” the President said.

“Of course we do not like it (extrajudicial killing). If you are into it, I’ll see to it you will go to jail. Baka ako pa babaril sa iyo (I may even be the one to shoot you),” he added.

Duterte said policemen and soldiers should do their duty and go after enemies of the state but should not “tinker with human rights.”

The 19-year old Arnaiz – a former UP student – was said to have left his house in Cainta with his friend, 14-year-old Reynaldo de Guzman, last Aug. 17.

His body was found 10 days later in a morgue in Caloocan City, more than 20 kilometers away from Cainta.

Autopsy reports by PAO revealed that Arnaiz had five bullet wounds – three to the chest, one on the left side of his body and another on the back of his arm. – With  Ghio Ong