The 40-day suspension punishment imposed on police who shot an 18-year-old mentally handicapped in an operation this May was not enough, according to his mother.
On Sunday, the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) recommended a 40-day suspension on Police Senior Master Sergeant Christopher Salcedo, one of the four policemen involved in the shooting of Erwin Arnigo with an autism spectrum disorder.
According to the police report, the victim allegedly fought with a gun with the police, but the story of the Arnigo family is different.
According to IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo, Salcedo should be sentenced to 60 days suspension, but they reduced it to 40 days because of his service awards.
“Hindi po ako papayag na ganoon ganoon lang po mangyayari doon sa anak ko. Ganoon lang po kagaan yung kasi na iaano sa kanya. Hindi po dapat ganoon kasi special child po yung anak ko eh,” said Helen Arnigo, mother of Erwin Arnigo.
Helen also did not accept the IAS’ statement that Salcedo’s only mistake was that he was not careful in handling his gun while trying to arrest the victim.
“Hindi po katwiran yung sinasabi nilang ganoon kasi bago po maging pulis, alam na alam po nilang dapat paanong hindi pumutok yung baril sa isang tao na naka-sibilyan,” she said.
40-day suspension imposed on cop who shot young man with autism
“Tsaka wala po siyang karapatang gumamit ng baril kasi bakit ganoon, sa isang sibilyan eh maiputok noon. Sa isang special child pa, anong kalaban laban ng anak ko, sobrang payat noon?”
Helen said they continue to mourn Arnigo’s death.
“Pag hatinggabi bigla na lang [silang] gumigising dahil naaalala yung kapatid nila. Ako minsan ala-una, alas-dos gising na ako nang madaling araw.”
“Dahil iniisip ko nga, na hindi ako makatulog nang maayos tsaka yung mga kapatid niya, dahil hanggat hindi pa nakulong yung pulis na yun, anong malay namin baka bigla na lang kaming pagbabarilin dito dahil nakalabas naman talaga yun,” she said.
Helen called on PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar for adequate punishment for the murder of her son.
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