CA upholds PO1 Perez's conviction, sentences him to life for planting evidence, torturing teens

The Court of Appeals (CA) has upheld the conviction of Caloocan police officer PO1 Jefrey Perez for planting evidence and torturing teenagers Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo 'Kulot' De Guzman in August 2017.

Perez was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment, perpetual disqualification from public office, reclusion perpetua, and other penalties including P50,000 moral damages for Arnaiz's family and P75,000 exemplary and moral damages for De Guzman’s family.

Arnaiz was killed by Caloocan police officers on August 18, 2017; his body was found with gunshot wounds on August 28. De Guzman was later found dead with 30 stab wounds in Gapan, Nueva Ecija.

The CA affirmed the lower court decision based on circumstantial evidence that forms an unbroken chain implicating Perez in the torture and deaths of both teenagers.

In its ruling dated April 10, the Court emphasized the need to address the culture of impunity and called for reforms to law enforcement and judicial oversight.

The CA stressed that public peace should not come at the cost of human life and hoped this case would serve as a testament to the judiciary's commitment to protecting individuals' rights.