Group to PNP: Provide cops with PWD awareness, sensitivity training

The Organizations for Pinoys with Disabilities Inc. appealed to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to provide their personnel with persons with disabilities (PWD) awareness and sensitivity training following the killing of an 18-year-old boy with special needs.

The group issued a statement as they mourned the death of Edwin Arnigo, who was shot dead by a policeman during an illegal cockfight operation in Valenzuela City.

"We in the PWD Philippines community mourn the loss of yet another innocent soul to the missteps of those who should have known better," read the statement on Tuesday.

"This needs to stop and we appeal to the Philippine National Police to please provide PWD awareness and sensitivity training to their men and women on the field to avoid needless deaths from persons who are unable to discern danger in such situations," it added.

The group, likewise, condemned the "senseless and very disturbing" shooting of the 18-year-old boy.

"This only strengthens the fact that persons with disabilities, especially those with intellectual disabilities are the easiest targets of abuse and violence, simply because they cannot articulately express themselves and that their testimonies are not given as much weight as a person without disabilities," the organization said.

The Valenzuela city government is conducting its own investigation into the tragic incident.

Meanwhile, the policeman behind the shooting, Police Master Sgt. Christopher Salcedo, as well the three other police officers involved in the raid have been placed under restrictive custody due to the probe. -- BAP, GMA News