Cops involved in Arnaiz case placed under restrictive custody

The two cops involved in the case of 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz have been placed under restrictive custody, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director Oscar Albayalde said Monday.

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"As of today po, naka-restrictive custody na sila, kagaya po nung tatlo din na involved doon sa Kian Delos Santos case. Lahat po 'yan ay nasa regional headquarters service group namin at hindi sila pwedeng lumabas without any explicit permission, pending investigation," he told DZMM.

Albayalde added that they have launched an investigation on the case.

"Yung CIDG (Criminal Investigation and Detection Group), binigyan na rin ng direktiba ni Chief PNP (Ronald Dela Rosa) na mag-conduct na rin ng investigation, at ng Internal Affairs Service, although I'm sure na may ginagawa na ring imbestigasyon ang PAO (Public Attorneys Office)," he explained.

Arnaiz, a freshman at the University of the Philippines until he dropped out, was shot dead by lawmen after allegedly attempting to rob a taxi driver in Caloocan last August 18, according to a police spot report.

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According to Albayalde, the taxi driver positively identified Arnaiz. Policemen also found the said wallet in Arnaiz's bag.

"Nung nagpakilala sila na pulis, doon nga sinabi nung taxi driver na siya ay hinoldap, allegedly, hinoldap siya nitong si Carl. 'Yung wallet ang sinasabi niya. Kaya po na-recover doon sa bag ni Carl 'yung wallet nung taxi driver. And I think may statement 'yung taxi driver doon, at positively identified niya si Carl," the police official said.

Forensic experts however found possible signs of torture on the teenager's body, including bruises and handcuff marks.

The boy was killed in the same week that 17-year-old Kian Delos Santos, whom police accused of delivering drugs, was killed during an anti-drug sweep in Caloocan.

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Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa earlier said the PNP is ready to face any probe into the Arnaiz case, but downplayed its supposed similarities to the Delos Santos killing.