Senate condemns Kian’s killing, vows investigation
President Duterte’s allies in the Senate have prepared a resolution condemning the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos and directing a new Senate investigation to determine the accountability of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in its intensified anti-illegal drugs campaign that might have resulted in unnecessary and unjustified deaths.
Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said details of the resolution would be finalized by the members of the Senate majority bloc in a caucus last night.
“It’s about 95% (percent) done. Styling only,” Pimentel said when sought to confirm details on the resolution.
The resolution seeks to express the Senate’s condemnation of possible abuses committed by the police that have resulted in a spate of killings while conducting operations against the illegal drugs trade.
The probe’s intent is highlighted by the case of Delos Santos’ killing. “WHEREAS, the apparent abuses by the police in undertaking these drug operations have resulted in a series of tragedies such as that of Kian Loyd delos Santos,” stated the resolution.
“WHEREAS, similar incidents require deeper scrutiny to ensure the accountability of the PNP and its officers as they implement the campaign against illegal drugs,” it added.
The resolution, likewise, directs the appropriate Senate committee to inquire and review the conduct of anti-drug operations by the PNP as well as capacitating the PNP as an institution, to hold erring officials within their ranks liable for the commission of any crime or offense.
“WHEREAS, in conducting the campaign of the Duterte administration against illegal drugs, the government must always ensure that no innocent lives are unnecessarily lost and that those within the ranks of the police or any government agency should be held fully accountable for any crime or offense,” the majority bloc’s resolution stated.
It also noted the sluggish pace at which the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the PNP moved when it comes to investigating cases and has found mitigating circumstances even where not seemingly justified.
“While government institutions that are tasked with leading the campaign against illegal drugs must be fully empowered to undertake their responsibilities, they should, with equal fervor, be held accountable to the Filipino people in the conduct of this campaign,” the senators stated.
Sen. Panfilo “Ping” Lacson, in a DZBB interview, confirmed there is a growing sentiment among members of the majority to investigate the latest police killings, including the death of Delos Santos.
The resolution, he said, may be referred to his committee, the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
Kian delos Santos Delos Santos was killed by policemen during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Barangay 160, Caloocan City last Wednesday.
Police claimed the Grade 11 student was a drug runner and that he allegedly resisted arrest and fired a gun at arresting cops, forcing them to shoot him. But witnesses tell a different story. Many witnesses claimed that they saw Kian being slapped and punched by armed cops who were not wearing uniforms.
Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage also showed two men in civilian clothes dragging the subdued teenager in full view of residents.
Witnesses also said that they heard the Grade 11 student plead for his life: “Tama na po! Tama na po! May test pa ako bukas.”
A photograph of the boy’s body showed a .45-caliber pistol clutched in his left hand, although he was right-handed, said his family.
Suspect points at Kian
Yesterday, the Caloocan City Police Station stood firm on its claim that the 17-year-old teenager who wanted to be a policeman was a drug suspect.
Police presented to media a suspected drug peddler who claims Kian had, over the span of three months, delivered drugs to him “several times.”
Renato “Nono” Loveras, according to police, was a drug suspect they arrested a day after Kian was killed. The suspect allegedly told them that Kian was a “drug runner.”
The witness presented by the police said that a certain “Neneng” was the one ordering Kian to deliver drugs to him.
“Kay Neneng po ako kumukuha ng droga. Si Kian lang po ang nag-aabot sa akin (I purchase drugs from Neneng. Kian is the one who hands it to me),” Loveras said. “Mga nasa anim na beses po ako kada linggo nakakakuha ng droga mula kay Neneng... Pero hindi po si Kian ang laging nagdadala; may iba pa pong inuutusan (I purchase drugs from Neneng about six times a week… but it’s not always Kian who delivers it; there’s someone else being sent over),” he added.
Loveras said that he gives Kian money after receiving the illegal drugs.
Discrepancies
In earlier statements, the Caloocan Police said Kian was targeted after he was pointed by an asset.
But, in the first spot report the Caloocan Police released, Kian was listed as an “unidentified man” police operatives just encountered. This means he was not a target of the operation.
Family’s questions
Still grieving, members of the Delos Santos family questioned why the Caloocan City Police was presenting Loveras “only now” – or four days after the suspect’s alleged arrest.
“Bakit ngayon lang po nila nilabas ’yang witness kuno nila? Matagal na ‘yang nahuli, ‘di ba? (Why are they bringing out that supposed witness just now? It’s been a while since he’d been arrested, right?),” Randy Delos Santos, uncle of Kian, said.
The Manila Bulletin asked some residents in Barangay 160 if they knew a woman named “Neneng” who was supposedly peddling drugs, but none of them knew her.
Kian’s dad accused Last Saturday, the Caloocan Police also accused Kian’s 49-year-old father, Saldy, of being a former drug personality in Barangay 160.
“We learned from the executive officer of Barangay 160 that he was a former drug personality. But this is still unverified,” Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo, relieved commander of the Police Community Precinct 7 (PCP-7), told an emergency meeting of the Caloocan City Peace and Order Council on the circumstances of Kian’s killing.
However, the barangay official Cerillo claimed to have given such information has stopped short of confirming whether that information was true.
He seemed terrified when interviewed by The Manila Bulletin. “Kapag ba may nangyari sa akin, proprotektahan niyo ako? Ayaw ko pong magsalita. May nagiimbistiga na po (If something happens to me, can you protect me? I don’t want to talk),” the barangay official, who asked not to be identified in print, said.
A resident of Barangay 160, who asked to be identified only by the name “Olivia,” said that Kian’s father was a former drug personality.
She said drug peddling was rampant in their community. “Marami na akong batang nakikita rito na ginagawang runner. Nakikita ko silang binibigyan ng pera ng isang lalaking naka-motor, sabay abot ng pakete ng shabu,” she said. “Ang pinakabata sa kanila ay nine years old.”
Kian’s father was outraged over the allegation made by Cerillo. “Kung totoo po ang sinasabi nila, bakit hindi nila patunayan? Pawang kasinunhalingan po ‘yan! (If what they are saying is true, why don’t they prove it? That they said are lies!” Saldy told The Manila Bulletin.
In between sobs, he added this response to Cerillo’s claim: “Hindi pa ba sapat na pinatay niyo at tinawag na drug runner ang anak ko (Isn’t it enough that you killed my son and tagged him a drug runner)?”
Saldy said that they may be poor, but their dignity is intact.
Security assured
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready to provide security for the Delos Santos family.
Director Oscar Albayalde, chief of the National Capital Regional Police Office (NCRPO), also assured the family that justice would serve for Kian, stressing that the police leadership does not tolerate abuses by its erring personnel.
Police chief sacked
Meanwhile, Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna was relieved as Caloocan City Police chief Saturday night to pave the way for an impartial probe regarding the death of Kian.
Albayalde said Bersaluna will be temporarily moved to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit, as the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) starts its investigation.
Last Friday, Albayalde relieved four policemen who accosted Kian – Cerillo, PCP-7 commander, PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremiah Pereda, and PO1 Jerwin Cruz. They were also moved to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while the investigation is ongoing. (With reports from Kate Louiose B. Javier, Raymund F. Antonio, and Aaron B. Recuenco)