DOJ files murder, torture raps vs cops linked to Carl, Kulot slay

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Justice has filed murder charges against two Caloocan cops over the slay of Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo "Kulot" de Guzman.

In a 35-page resolution, the DOJ said that it found probable cause to indict PO1 Jeffrey Perez and PO1 Ricky Aquilita on murder, planting of evidence and torture of the two teenagers.

"[Arnaiz] was deliberately killed when he was shot by Perez and Arqulita on different parts of his body, as evidenced by the multiple gunshot wounds which caused his instantaneous death," the resolution read.

A copy of the resolution dated Dec. 18, 2017 was released to reporters only on Friday.

RELATED: What we know so far: Killing of Reynaldo de Guzman, 14 | What we know so far: Killing of Carl Arnaiz, 19

On the case of De Guzman, the DOJ said that while it is "unimaginable" how the teenager's body was found in Nueva Ecija, there is a witness testimony that he was the last seen with Arnaiz

"To the mind of the Panel, the circumstantial evidence present in the death of De Guzman suffices to warrant a finding of probable cause against respondents-police Perez and Arquilita also for the crime of murder," the state prosecutors said.

The DOJ, meanwhile, dismissed murder raps against taxi driver Tomas Marleo Bagcal. "It bears to stress that suspicion does not constitute evidence and could not be taken against the respondent," the resolution said.

READ: 4 key details in cabbie's version of events leading to Carl Arnaiz's death

The prosecutors also took into account Bagcal's defense that his "contradicting statements he made relative to the killing of Carl Angelo and Kulot" were done "under threats of respondents."

Arnaiz went missing on the night of August 17. His body was found 11 days later at a funeral home in Caloocan City. The 19-year-old former University of the Philippines student reportedly robbed a taxi driver and fired back at responding policemen, prompting the authorities to shoot him.

Almost a month later, De Guzman's parents were informed that their son’s body was found floating in a creek in Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

Their killings are believed to be carried under the government's war on drugs.