Rights group claims to have custody of cabbie

MANILA, Philippines — The taxi driver allegedly robbed by 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz is now in the protective custody of a human rights group, according to News5-InterAksyon.

Rise Up for Life and for Life, a network of church people and human rights advocates, said last night Tomas Bagcal, a potential witness in the killing of Arnaiz, is with them after his family approached them on Sept. 4.

“Rise Up has responded in the affirmative to the request of the family for protective custody and provided sanctuary during the period of Mr. Bagcal’s serious discernment, soul searching, and firm decision-making,” the group said in a post on its Facebook account.

Taxi firm, R&E, where Bagcal works said the driver last reported to them on Sept. 3. The National Bureau of Investigation is currently looking for Bagcal’s whereabouts.

Rise Up, however, declined to disclose where they are keeping Bagcal.

 “We are moved by the family’s trust and confidence in Rise Up in assisting them in these very trying and challenging times,” it said.

“We pray we can fully extend solace and strength to our distressed and fearful brethren.”

Rise Up has extended services to affected individuals and families that involve burial assistance, psychosocial therapy and spiritual formation, rehabilitation, documentation and legal assistance, among others … Rise Up discerned it a priority to help families cope with and rise up as they seek justice.

“As we deal with documentation, we also encounter the need to assist families and witnesses for safe sanctuaries. This ensures individuals and families of protection from harm and threats as determined in the course of our engagement.”

Caloocan City policemen, Police Officers 1 Jeffrey Perez and Ricky Arquilita, had claimed that they killed Arnaiz in a gunfight after robbing Bagcal.

Bagcal supposedly executed two different sworn affidavits about the incident involving Arnaiz on Aug. 18. Arnaiz’s parents found the  remains of their son at a morgue 10 days after the incident.