PAO to dispute cab driver's testimonies on Arnaiz slay case

PUBLIC Attorney's Office (PAO) chief Persida RuedaAcosta said they are almost done preparing the complaint affidavit to be filed by the parents of slain 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz before the Department of Justice (DOJ).

"Almost 75 percent na po ang PAO. Yung final report po ay on process na (PAO is almost 75 percent done. The final report is being processed)," Acosta said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Acosta earlier said they are planning to file double murder complaints against Caloocan City police officers involved in the killing of Arnaiz, including Police Officers 1 Jeffrey Perez and Ricky Arquilita.

Asked if the testimony of taxi driver Tomas Bagcal will affect the case, the PAO chief answered in the negative. "Wala po epekto sa kaso 'yun (It has no impact on the case)," she said.

Acosta further noted the two affidavits of Bagcal, with glaring differences, that could be used to dispute his claims.

She recounted that in the first affidavit of Bagcal, he said that he was held up by Arnaiz at 3:00 a.m., but in the latter affidavit, he said it was at 3:20 a.m.

The PAO chief said Bagcal could face complaints for being an accessory to the crime or accomplice for not reporting the incident to the police.

"Kung alam mong may biktima dapat magreport ka unless kasabwat ka (If you know that there is a victim you must report it unless you are an accomplice)," she said.

"May picture siya sa secondary crime scene. Dapat tumawag siya sa NBI o ibang ahensya para matulungan ang bata (He was photographed at the secondary crime scene. He should have called the NBI or other agencies that can help the child)," Acosta said.

The PAO chief also disputed Bagcal's claim that Arnaiz was a holdupper.

Acosta said PAO will be releasing a report that will prove otherwise.

"May ilalabas din pong report ang aming forensic lab na magugulantang kayo dahil mapapatunayan ng aming tanggapan na hindi holdupper si Carl (Our forensic lab will also release a report that will surprise you all as it was proven by our office that Carl is not a holdupper)," Acosta sai d.

Arnaiz was killed in an alleged shootout with the Caloocan police last August 18 after he was accosted for allegedly robbing Bagcal.

His 14-year-old companion, Reynaldo De Guzman, was also found dead in a creek in Gapan Nueva Ecija, on September 5.

The police, however, said that the cadaver was not De Guzman, as the DNA did not match with the victim's parents. (Keith A. Calayag SunStar Philippines)