MANILA, Philippines — A teenager on the autism spectrum was shot dead when police raided a tupada or illegal cockfighting game in Valenzuela City on Sunday.
Police said Edwin Arnigo, 18, reportedly scuffled for the gun of Senior M/Sgt. Christopher Salcedo during a raid on a tupada game.
Arnigo, who had special needs, was standing outside his house in Assumption Ville when the raid happened, Mayor Rex Gatchalian said at a virtual press briefing.
Gatchalian said Arnigo was accosted by police who rounded up those involved in the illegal gambling.
Arnigo was allegedly brought to the site of the cockfight after he was killed in the alleged gun scuffle, Gatchalian said.
Two others were arrested during the raid. Police confiscated fighting cocks and P1,340 in bet money.
Gatchalian said based on the police version, Arnigo grabbed the service firearm of one of the raiders.
It remains unclear whose hand pulled the trigger, Gatchalian said.
But for the teenager’s family, Gatchalian said Arnigo was allegedly shot dead by the police officer who purportedly wrapped his arms around the teenager to accost him.
Gatchalian said it was impossible for the teenager to attack the raiding team during the operation.
“Arnigo was afraid of cops,” Gatchalian said, citing the family’s account.
The mayor said he would ask the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct an independent probe into Arnigo’s death.
Arnigo showed no violent behavior as a student at the Lingunan Elementary School under the city’s special education program, according to his teacher Joey Ann Galang.
“He was afraid of police and even the security guard at school. He never showed aggressive behavior in the classroom,” Galang told The STAR.
Arnigo was also a paralympic who was good at running and long jump. He had a future in basketball because of his height and light figure, added his occupational therapist Romulos Estrada.
“I was shocked (that the police said he fought over a gun). I could not believe it,” Estrada said.
Valenzuela Special Education center administrator Ma. Teresita Pangan said Arnigo has been diagnosed with intellectual disability as a comorbidity to his autism spectrum disorder.
Pangan called out media reports denigrating Arnigo for his disability.
Salcedo and three other members of the raiding team – Corporals Kenneth Pacheco, Rodel Villar and Regin Rex Paredes – were placed under restrictive custody, Philippine National Police chief Guillermo Eleazar said.
“I ordered the Internal Affairs Service to conduct a probe of the incident to determine if there were lapses in the conduct of the operation,” Eleazar said.
Based on initial reports, Eleazar said the gun went off and hit Arnigo after he grappled for the firearm.
Arnigo was brought to the Valenzuela Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. – Neil Jayson Servallos