Solons decry killing of Reynaldo De Guzman

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives on Thursday decried the killing of Reynaldo "Kulot" De Guzman, the 14-year-old companion of Carl Angelo Arnaiz, who was himself allegedly executed by Caloocan police.

In a statement, Bayan Muna party-list Representative Carlos Zarate noted the successive killings involving young people, as well as Lumads and activists.

"Kailan ba ito matitigil, lalo na ang mga kasong sangkot ang miyembro ng PNP [Philippine National Police], AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] at mga alipores nila?" Zarate said.

De Guzman was the last person seen with Arnaiz on the night the 19-year-old was killed in Caloocan City.

De Guzman's body was later found in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, bearing 30 stab wounds. His head was completely wrapped in packing tape.

"Lubos pong kinukundena ng Bayan Muna ang mga pagpatay na ito sa mga inosente at muling maghahain ang Makabayan bloc ng resolusyon upang maimbestigahan din ang pagpatay kay Kulot," Zarate said.

The leftist lawmakers previously filed a resolution seeking an investigation into the deaths of Arnaiz and 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos, who was killed during an anti-drug operation by Caloocan police two days before Arnaiz's shooting.

For his part, Akbayan party-list Representative Tom Villarin said that these killings have become the "new normal."

"It is now the norm to kill alleged criminals with latent and excessive force, gangland-style executions that minors are not even spared. Our police has always a plethora of alibis, dismissive attitude, and melodramatic moments when confronted with these senseless killings that have claimed thousands of lives," he said.

Villarin called on President Rodrigo Duterte to put an end to the killings brought about by his campaign against illegal drugs.

"Once and for all, President Duterte should just say one word: Stop! And his henchmen will follow. Is that too much to ask or is he that callous in conscience?" he said.

Ifugao Representative Teddy Baguilat, on the other hand, urged the public to cry for justice for De Guzman's death.

"Mourn for Reynaldo now but for as long as no one has been brought to justice for these unsolved murders and the operation double barrel continues full steam, his wouldn't be the the last death of minors," he said. — BM, GMA News