MANILA – Rise Up for Life and for Rights, a network of church people and human rights advocates working with poor families affected by the summary killings happening under the Duterte administration’s war on drugs, on Saturday disclosed it has the erstwhile missing taxi driver in the Carl Angelo Arnaiz case in its protective custody.
R&E taxi driver Tomas M. Bagcal, a potential witness in the high-profile killing of Arnaiz, had issued an assailed affidavit claiming he was allegedly robbed at gunpoint by Arnaiz in Caloocan City.
Arnaiz, in turn, died in an alleged shootout with Caloocan policemen after the purported August 18 holdup.
Then, Bagcal went missing less than two days after submitting his unsworn deposition.
The following is an excerpt of a statement released by Rise Up:
“Rise Up has responded in the affirmative to the request of the family for protective custody and provided sanctuary during the period of Mr. Bagcal’s serious discernment, soul searching, and firm decision-making.
“We are moved by the family’s trust and confidence in Rise Up in assisting them in these very trying and challenging times.
“We pray we can fully extend solace and strength to our distressed and fearful brethren.”
Rise Up has extended services to affected individuals and families that involve “burial assistance, psychosocial therapy and spiritual formation, rehabilitation, documentation and legal assistance, among others … Rise Up discerned it a priority to help families cope with and rise up as they seek justice.
“As we deal with documentation, we also encounter the need to assist families and witnesses for safe sanctuaries. This ensures individuals and families of protection from harm and threats as determined in the course of our engagement.”
