MANILA, Philippines — The family of Carl Angelo Arnaiz commemorated his second death anniversary over the weekend with a court victory.
The Navotas regional trial court (RTC) denied bail to police officers Jefrey Perez and Ricky Arquilita, who were charged with murder for allegedly shooting Arnaiz and stabbing his 14-year-old companion Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman on Aug. 18, 2017.
“Nagiging malinaw na mabigyan ng hustisya ang pagkawala niya. Dapat lang talaga madeny ang petition nila kasi puro gawa-gawa lang naman ang sinasabi nila (It is becoming clear that there will be justice for his death. Their petition should be denied because their statements are fabricated),” Carl’s father, Carlito Arnaiz, told The STAR.
In her Aug. 6 order, Branch 287 Judge Romana Lindayag del Rosario found the evidence against Patrolmen Ricky Arquilita and Jefrey Perez strong, adding that “bail is not a matter of right.”
Department of Justice prosecutor Xerxes Garcia said the panel was able to convince the judge of the suspects’ probable guilt, citing the testimony of star witness “Joe Daniel” who said he saw Carl shot dead at a grassy area in Navotas.
Their bail denial means the only surviving suspect, Perez, will face a full-blown trial for the murder. Arquilita died of complications from hepatitis last April.