A witness on the killing of an 18-year-old person with special needs in Valenzuela City has denied the claim of the police that there was a gun scuffle between the victim and a police officer that led to the civilian's death.
Mayor Rex Gatchalian, in a Twitter post on Thursday, said that they found a “crucial witness” who saw the incident unfold before his eyes.
“This witness is the individual who was also apprehended by the said policeman at the time Erwin was apprehended and shot,” Gatchalian said.
Erwin Arnigo, who has autism, was allegedly shot dead by Senior Master Sergeant Christopher Salcedo during a tupada or cockfighting raid in Barangay Lingunan on Sunday.
“He was in close proximity, literally less than an arm’s length away from the victim when it happened,” he added.
Citing the narrative of the witness, Gatchalian said there was really no scuffle, and the killing of Arnigo did not happen at the actual tupada or cockfighting site but "a few meters away," contrary to the police report.
“He is very adamant in saying that, (al)though the account he saw is different from the account of the policemen involve,” Gatchalian said.
The mayor added the witness believes that what happened was only “accidental,” based on “the reaction” shown by Salcedo after the shooting.
"Hoping for quick resolution of the case. Hoping for swift justice. I know the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) and the PNP (Philippine National Police) will resolve this," he said.
On Thursday, Valenzuela City police chief Lt. Col. Ramchrisen Haveria Jr. assured Arnigo's family of justice and called on other witnesses to surface and speak up about the incident.