Nueva Ecija PNP: ‘Kulot’ killed elsewhere before being dumped in Gapan

Fourteen-year-old Reynaldo De Guzman may have been killed elsewhere before his body was dumped in Barangay San Roque in Gapan, Nueva Ecija, police investigators said on Thursday.

According to Chino Gaston's report on Balita Pilipinas, Nueva Ecija policemen are also looking into the possibility that dumping De Guzman's body in a creek was part of the plan to throw off investigators.

"To mislead the investigation about the disappearance nitong victim. Tinapon din nila ito sa ilog, di ba? Kasi siyempre may tubig tsaka yung mangalap ng ebidensya," Nueva Ecija PD Sr. Supt. Antonio Yarra said in a later report on 24 Oras.

"Wala namang struggle dun sa crime scene na magpapatunay na he was killed there," he continued.

Investigators said residents heard a car stopping near midnight on Monday at the bridge crossing the creek where De Guzman's body was found.

"Nung umaga ho, narinig lang namin, kalabog lang, yun lang ho," Maria, a resident who saw De Guzman's body, said.

"Alam lang namin basura lang po. Kumain po ako sa bahay, doon po ako napalingon sa tubig, nakita ko po siya, nakapiring po siya ng itim na damit."

Maria alerted her neighbors when she finally saw De Guzman's injuries.

Caloocan City Chief of Police Sr. Supt. Jemar Modequillo insisted that blame should not be placed on officers unless definite proof could be produced.

"We do not have any proof na Kulot was being dito sa atin sa Caloocan. We do not have information here," Modequillo said in the same report on 24 Oras. "Unfair naman yan na ju-jump into conclusion kagad, even those basis na pinapakita natin."

PNP Chief Dir. Gen. Ronald dela Rosa shared the same sentiments and called on the public to refrain from pinning De Guzman's death on the police while their investigation rolls on.

"Huwag naman sanang mabilisan kagad na mag-jump into conclusion na pulis kagad ang pagbibintangan dahil unfair naman yun. Wala man dun sa crime scene ng mangyayari kay Carl yung anak niya," Dela Rosa said.

De Guzman was last seen alive with Carl Angelo Arnaiz, the 19-year-old University of the Philippines student who was killed on August 18 after allegedly shooting at responding policemen in Caloocan City.

Arnaiz's loved ones and parents doubt the story that he robbed a taxi driver in the wee hours of August 18.

Public Attorney's Office chief Attorney Persida Acosta believes De Guzman may have been killed to keep the details of Arnaiz' death a secret.

Despite Modequillo and Dela Rosa's appeals, PAO may file double murder charges against the officers proven to have been involved in the deaths of De Guzman and Arnaiz.

"Double murder and violation of torture law dahil dalawa ito. Yung sasabihing alibi na nanghold-up, assuming without admitting, hindi dapat ganito ang ginawa sa dalawang ito," Acosta said.

Police are still looking for CCTV footage that may shed light on the vehicles that passed by the creek where De Guzman's body was found. —NB, GMA News