By Moira Encina
Eagle News Service
The Department of Justice has filed murder charges against the two policemen implicated in the killing of Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman.
P01 Jeffrey Perez and Ricky Arquilita were charged with murder before the Caloocan Regional Trial Court after the DOJ found probable cause for their indictment.
The two policemen were also charged with torture and planting of evidence under Section 29 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and the Comprehensive Firearms and Ammunition Regulation Act.
The charges against taxi driver Tomas Bagcal were dismissed because of lack of probable cause.
In finding probable cause against Arquilita and Perez, the DOJ gave weight to Bagcal’s testimony the policemen forced him to follow their narration of events so they would be acquitted.
Perez and Arquilita have argued Arnaiz–who turned up in a morgue on Aug. 28, 2017—died in a shootout that ensued soon after they arrested him for supposedly robbing Bagcal.
But a witness said Arnaiz was kneeling and handcuffed when he was killed by the policemen.
De Guzman was Arnaiz’s last known companion in Cainta, Rizal on Aug. 18, 2017.
A dead boy found in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija days later was identified as him.
