Philippine National Police Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar that there will be no cover-up in the investigation into the death of a young man with autism in Valenzuela.
18-year-old Edwin Arnigo died in the middle of a police operation this Sunday.
Police said Edwin allegedly snatched a gun and was shot. But the victim’s family denied the authorities’ statement.
“Kung sino ang may kasalanan ay mananagot. And that was the assurance that I have given to the parents of the victim and also to the Filipino people na nage-expect no less than on this effort na ginagawa ng ating pulis,” Eleazar said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
This is also the promise that Eleazar made to Edwin’s mother Helen Arnigo, when the chief visited the victim’s funeral.
“Sabi naman po nila ni Sir na gagawin daw nila lahat para mabigyan ng hustisya ‘yong anak ko… kaya talagang tutulungan nila kami hanggang sa dulo,” said Helen.
According to Eleazar, the PNP Internal Affairs Service and the Northern Police District (NPD) are already conducting separate investigations into the incident.
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No cover-up in probe of death of young man with autism: Eleazar
According to Col. Ramchrisen Haveria, Valenzuela police chief, 3 of the policemen involved in the operation have been relieved.
Master Sgt Christopher Salcedo, the policeman who allegedly shot Edwin, is in the restrictive custody of the NPD.
“Magtiwala sila sa pulis, gaya ng sinabi ni chief PNP, na hindi naman natin ‘yan pagtakpan. Kung sila’y nagkamali, siyempre dapat sagutin nila,” said Haveria.
Aside from the police, the National Bureau of Investigation and the Commission on Human Rights also investigate the incident.
The autopsy is over, and a paraffin test is scheduled to be performed on the victim.
The Arnigo family is said to be determined to charge the police involved.
Arnigo’s funeral is scheduled for Sunday.
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