PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar said the PNP Internal Affairs Service has recommended a 40-day suspension for a Valenzuela City cop who shot dead a teenager with autism during an anti-illegal gambling operation last May.
Eleazar said the recommendation against Sr. M/Sgt. Christopher Salcedo is being reviewed by his office and by the Discipline, Law and Order Division of the PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management.
Eleazar said he understands if the family of the victim, Edwin Arnigo, 18, would not be satisfied with the recommendation of IAS, which looked into the administrative aspect of the case.
“But just like other results of IAS investigations, this case will still be subjected to two more reviews– under the Discipline, Law and Order Division or DLOD of the DPRM and under the Office of the Chief PNP– to determine if there are solid legal grounds to justify the recommendations made,” said Eleazar. “This is how due process works in your PNP.”
Eleazar appealed to the Arnigo family to let the review process take its course, adding the suspension is a mere recommendation and there is still no final decision.
He said the recommendation is subject to a thorough review and assured the public “there will be a fair investigation and action from the PNP regarding (the administrative case).”
The National Bureau of Investigation is looking into the criminal aspect of the case.
Police had said Valenzuela City cops arrested three people involved in illegal cockfighting in the city. Seized from the three were fighting cocks and money amounting to P1,340.
Arnigo reportedly grabbed the firearm of Salcedo, leading to a scuffle. The firearm went off, hitting Arnigo, who was rushed to a hospital where he died.
The Arnigo family said Edwin is afraid of cops and expressed doubts that he grabbed the gun.
