PAO has witness in Carl Angelo Arnaiz case

Carlito Arnaiz, the father of 19-year-old Carl Angelo Arnaiz who was killed by the Caloocan City Police after he allegedly opened fire at them, said the Public Attorney's Office (PAO) already has a witness for his son's case.

As of posting time, no details were given regarding this witness.

In a report by Bam Alegre on GMA News' Unang Balita, the parents of Carl were offered to be placed under the witness protection program after they reached out to the Department of Justice on Monday.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct a probe on the death of Carl.

The NBI-National Capital Region on Monday night visited the wake of Carl. However his family refused to authorize another autopsy.

"Parang ayaw na nila," Attorney Raffy Gonzaga of NBI-NCR said.

The NBI conducted a background check on Carl and his 14-year-old companion, Reynaldo De Guzman alias "Kulot" who was supposedly the last person to be with Carl.

Authorities also spoke to Carl's friends as part of their investigation.

Meanwhile, Reynaldo's mother, Lina, expressed concern over her child who has been missing for three weeks.

She said she is hopeful that Reynaldo, a Grade 5 student at Maybunga Elementary School who helps her in selling fish, is still alive.

"Pagkaalam ko po, hawak siya ng sindikato. Baka hawak ng sindikato, tinatago lang po nila kaya ayaw nila ibigay nila sa akin. Tsaka mga pulis," Lina said.

Carl's interment is set to be held on Tuesday afternoon. His remains will be buried at the Pateros Public Cemetery.

Caloocan City cops Police Officer 1 Jeffrey Perez and Police Officer 1 Ricky Arquilita have already been relieved from their posts pending investigation into the August 18 incident.

In a sworn affidavit, the policemen said Carl robbed taxi driver Tomas Bagcal on C3 Road in Caloocan City, hit him on the head with a gun, took his wallet, and then fled the scene.

Bagcal then asked for help from policemen patrolling the area to apprehend Carl but the latter allegedly opened fire on them, prompting them to fire back and kill the teenager.

Police said the driver's wallet containing P450 and the taxi were recovered from the crime scene.

They also said marijuana and shabu were found in Carl's possession.

However, the victim's relatives refused to believe that he was into illegal drugs saying Carl's only vice was smoking. —Marlly Rome C. Bondoc/KG, GMA News