MANILA, Philippines – What if the authorities, whose sworn duty is to protect the people, are actually the ones who endanger them in the first place? Are our kids still safe on the streets?
These were the questions raised by social media users on Facebook and Twitter after Reynaldo de Guzman, the last seen companion of Carl Arnaiz before he was killed, was found dead in Nueva Ecija after sustaining 30 stab wounds to his body.
Also known as 'Kulot', the 14-year-old boy was found dead in a creek in Barangay San Roque in Gapan City at around 11:30 am on Tuesday, September 6. (READ: Missing teen last seen with Carl Arnaiz found dead with 30 stab wounds)
In a Facebook comment, Nat Ermino doubted the capability of the victim to fight back. "The boy was stabbed 30 times. Note, 30 times. He had tape wrapped around his head too. How much threat could a 14-year-old boy possibly pose for him to be killed like this," he said.
Luz Ana Gonzales Cariño also commented on the Rappler Facebook page, saying, "No one is safe. Di mo na alam kung sino kakatakutan at iiwasan mo, yung mga criminals ba or law enforcers" (You don't know who to be afraid of, criminals or law enforcers.)
The incident also stirred online discussions on Twitter, with tweets condemning the brutal act of taping the boy's face and stabbing him repeatedly.
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<a class="twitter-timeline" data-partner="tweetdeck" href="https://twitter.com/MovePH/timelines/905378471265710080">Reynaldo de Guzman - Curated tweets by MovePH</a> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Carl Arnaiz was killed in a shootout with Caloocan police after allegedly robbing a cab driver along C-3 on August 18, but Public Attorney's Office reports refute the claim. (READ: Carl Arnaiz handcuffed, beaten up, killed – PAO autopsy)
PAO Forensics Head Dr. Erwin Erfe said in a press conference that Arnaiz was intentionally killed after suffering 5 gunshot wounds while handcuffed and kneeling.
The Grade 5 student is the 3rd victim after Carl Arnaiz and Kian delos Santos who were killed in just a few weeks, sparking outrage from various groups calling President Rodrigo Duterte to end his bloody war on drugs. (READ: Kian and Carl: What the deaths of two boys have in common) - Rappler.com