Murder, torture raps filed against cops, cabbie in Arnaiz, De Guzman slays

MANILA - The families of slain teens Carl Angelo Arnaiz and Reynaldo De Guzman on Thursday filed double murder, torture and planting of evidence charges against two Caloocan City police officers and a taxi driver linked to their deaths. 

Charged before the Department of Justice (DOJ) were Police Officers 1 Jeffrey Perez and Ricky Arquilita, and Tomas Bagcal, the taxi driver who police said Arnaiz had robbed.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), which is assisting the family, also brought a "star witness" who goes by the alias "Joe Daniel," and another witness under the alias "Kai." The two submitted sworn statements.

PAO Chief Persida Acosta said the complaint is "airtight," stressing that there was conspiracy among the respondents based on evidence and witness statements.

Arnaiz, 19, and De Guzman, 14, left their Cainta, Rizal neighborhood to buy midnight snacks on Aug. 17. 

Arnaiz's body was found 10 days after the teens went missing. 

Police assert that Arnaiz tried to rob a taxi, prompting them to arrest him. The teen allegedly resisted arrest and tried to shoot at the officers, forcing them to fire back.

PAO's forensic investigation, however, found possible torture marks on Arnaiz's body. 

A body believed to be De Guzman's, marked by multiple stab wounds and the head wrapped in tape, was meanwhile found in Nueva Ecija on Sept. 6, positively identified by his family. 

But police, after a DNA test not requested by his parents, said the body was not that of the boy. Asserting it was their son, De Guzman's parents buried the boy on Wednesday. 

Acting Prosecutor General Jorge Catalan Jr. said he would recommend the creation of a panel of prosecutors to handle the preliminary investigation of the case.