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Veteran news anchor Karen Davila commented on the death of Edwin Arnigo, the teenager who was shot by a cop after they arrested him for alleged illegal cockfighting.
On her Twitter account, Davila hoped for the truth to come out but at the same time, she can’t help but question the cop’s version of the story as she also has a child on the autism spectrum.
“Those in the autism spectrum are not able to ‘advocate or fight for themselves’ – what more fight a police officer?” the broadcaster wrote.
Sana katotohanan ang lumabas. Bilang ina ng batang nasa Autism Spectrum, napakahirap paniwalaan na mang-aagaw sila ng baril. Those in the autism spectrum are not able to “advocate or fight for themselves” – what more fight a police officer? https://t.co/zY1w4AGRn6
— Karen Davila (@iamkarendavila) May 25, 2021
Davila’s eldest son, David, falls under the autism spectrum.
According to Autism Speaks, autism spectrum disorder refers to a broad range of conditions characterized by challenges with social skills, repetitive behaviors, speech, and nonverbal communication.
According to the Philippine National Police (PNP), Arnigo was a part of a team conducting operations against illegal cockfighting. This resulted in the arrest of the victim and three other individuals.
Arnigo allegedly took the gun of one of the policemen who also tried holding on to his gun. The event eventually leads to the firing of the gun that killed the teenager.
He was immediately brought to the Valenzuela City Medical Center but was declared dead later on.
During a press conference on May 24, Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian pointed out that the victim’s family and the police have conflicting narratives.
The victim’s family said that that day, Arnigo asked her mother if he could buy ice candy in a store in front of their house. His mother then went to the toilet and a few minutes later, she has heard that her son was shot.
They contradicted PNP’s statement and said that Arnigo could have not taken the gun as he had autism and was afraid of the cops. They also said that they had eyewitnesses that said that the victim was shot in another location and was just dragged to the cockfighting area.
Gatchalian said that the suspect and three other cops involved have been disarmed and are currently in restrictive custody.
Senator Win Gatchalian commented on the matter saying that what happened to Arnigo is not acceptable and justice will be served.
“Hindi katanggap-tanggap ang sinapit ni Edwin at kailangan nating tiyakin na matapos ang mga imbestigasyon, mananagot ang mga dapat managot, at maiiwasan na natin ang mga ganitong uri ng insidente,” he said in a statement.
