SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian on Tuesday called for swift and impartial justice for Edwin Arnigo, who was killed in a scuffle with the police in Valenzuela City on May 23.

The senator said investigators should resolve the conflicting narratives because the victim’s mother claimed that her son, who had autism, was scared of the police.

According to the Valenzuela police, the victim was shot in a gun scuffle during a raid on a cockfighting site.

The Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs Service and the National Bureau of Investigation are investigating the incident.

Gatchalian said public confidence on the police will be eroded if investigators fail to get to the bottom of things.

The lawmaker added that the incident is a reminder of the need to strengthen discipline and ensure that erring policemen don’t get away with their misdeeds.

“Nakakalungkot na ang isang kabataang may special needs naman ang naging biktima ng operasyon ng pulis, sa pagkakataong ito ay isang tupada. 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” said Gatchalian.

In 2019, Gatchalian filed Senate Bill 721 or the proposed Police On-Body Cam Act which seeks to mandate the use of body cameras by law enforcement officers during anti-drug and criminality operations.