Carl Arnaiz slay likely a case of 'hulidap,' says Acosta
Supporters of Carl Angelo Arnaiz, a teenager who was killed in an alleged shootout with police, carries his casket during a burial ceremony in Manila, Philippines, Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017. A government forensic team says Carl Angelo Arnaiz, who apparently was handcuffed, was tortured before he was shot five times following an attempted robbery. His death occurred during a renewed police crackdown against drugs and crimes that killed more than 80 suspects in just three days, in the bloodiest few days under Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs. AP/Aaron Favila, file
MANILA, Philippines — The killing of 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz is likely a case of "hulidap" and may not be related to the administration's anti-illegal drugs campaign, Public Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida Rueda-Acosta said Monday.
Arnaiz left his home in Cainta, Rizal on August 17 and went missing for 10 days until his body was recovered at a morgue in Caloocan City.
Taxi driver Tomas Bagcal claimed that Arnaiz and a younger companion, 14-year-old Reynaldo "Kulot" de Guzman, hailed his cab in Pasig City and asked to be brought to Caloocan.
According to Bagcal, Arnaiz attempted to rob him but the two teenagers were turned over to the nearest police station with the help of barangay watchmen who noticed the commotion.
Acosta said that there was no reason for Arnaiz and De Guzman to rob the taxi driver.
"May padala 'yung nanay P17,000 almost and then may tindahan siya, kumikita. Bakit manghoholdap at saka si Kulot 'yan may mga sideline 'yan kahit 14 anyos 'yan tumutulong sa mga nagtitinda ng isda 'yan," Acosta said in an ANC's Headstart.
The PAO chief stressed that Arnaiz was not included in drugs watchlist of his barangay.
The 19-year-old teenager may be a victim of a "hulidap" as the money sent by his mother allegedly went missing after being apprehended by the police.
"Nasaan na ang pera ni Carl? Bakit ang backpack wala nang lamang pera? 'Yung Lenovo na padala ng ina na cellphone bakit wala na napalitan na ng mumurahin na analog?" the lawyer said.
Acosta, however, clarified that they were not sure whether Carl had the money that his mother sent when he was killed.
"I’m not sure but sabi ng nanay may pinadala siya. Alam niya nung araw na 'yun kukunin niya 'yun eh so ang punto doon bakit nila kailangan patayin assuming without admitting na holdaper bakit kailangan patayin na walang awa," Acosta said.
During the inquiry of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs last Monday, Bagcal claimed that one of the Caloocan cops ordered the killing of Arnaiz.
The PAO earlier said that the crime scene where Arnaiz allegedly engaged in a shootout with Caloocan police was staged.
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