MANILA - A Northern Police District (NPD) crime laboratory officer on Tuesday said slain teen Carl Angelo Arnaiz, who was killed after he allegedly robbed a cab driver, was possibly shot while already lying on the ground.

"Almost all of the gunshot wounds were going upwards, which would indicate, your honor, that possibly the assailant could be in [a] standing position and the victim or Carl is in a lower position as compared to the assailant," said Chief Inspector Jocelyn Cruz.

During a Senate hearing on the recent slay of teens in police operations, Sen. Grace Poe asked if the examination could tell if Arnaiz was in a kneeling position when he was shot.

“The position of the victim could be in standing position. However, I would also consider the position of [the] victim in [a] supine or lying position, in which the back is on the ground and the face, upwards,” she said.

Cruz said injuries Arnaiz sustained would make it difficult for him to fight back.

"Based on the body of victim, as I've mentioned, there were multiple gunshot wounds and other injuries noted, so it means that the victim wasn't able to fight back that easily. That's my professional opinion," said Cruz.

Arnaiz, 19, a former University of the Philippines student, sustained five gunshot wounds to the body when he was shot on Aug. 17 in Caloocan City. Abrasions were also found on his body, which could have been caused by friction.

"Maaring tinamo dahil kinaladkad (Is it because he was dragged)?" Sen. Grace Poe asked.

Cruz replied: " It’s possible, your honor."

Cruz examined Arnaiz' body on Aug. 28, more than a week since he was last seen alive.

Aside from gunshot wounds, Cruz also noticed a hematoma and abrasion on the teen's right eye. Multiple abrasions were also noted on the right side of the chest and lower back of the victim.

Arnaiz's suspicious killing came in the wake of the shooting of 12th grader Kian Delos Santos, whose death sparked public outrage as evidence indicate he was murdered.

Both teens were shot dead by Caloocan cops.

Police said Arnaiz hailed a taxi on Aug. 17 and robbed its driver. The driver then sought help from authorities. When responding policemen caught up with him, he allegedly tried to shoot, prompting them to fire back.

• READ: Ex-NPD chief assures no cover-up in Kian, Carl Angelo cases