PNP to be grilled on drug war budget, Kian’s killing

Top Philippine National Police (PNP) officials should brace themselves in the upcoming budget hearings at the Senate since a number of senators have vowed to question the almost 11billion fund it requested for the Oplan Tokhang or Double Barrel anti-illegal drugs operation where hundreds of drug suspects have been killed.

Senate President Ralph Recto said he expects that a review of the events leading up to the unfortunate death of Kian Loyd Delos Santos, the 17-year old Grade 11 student killed in a supposed drug raid in Caloocan city last week, will be taken up when the upper chamber tackles the 1131.5billion proposed budget of the PNP for 2018.

Recto noted the PNP will get a 120-billion increase in its budget for next year.

“I expect that the review of the events on that fateful night in Caloocan which led to the death of a young man will be pursued in many fronts. Kian’s life was ended so dastardly that it has united the nation in anger and grief. This national pain can only be salved by the truth,” Recto said in a statement.

Delos Santos, according to the police, was involved in the illegal drugs trade who was shot dead when he opened fire at a police team.

Witnesses, however, claimed that the boy was unarmed when accosted and dragged by police officers who shot him.

Relatives of the young casualty likewise reiterated that he was never involved in illegal drugs or activities.

“In the House and in the Senate, the budget hearings will provide an opportunity for oversight, which could answer a very critical question: What are the sources of funds for this nationwide operation?”

Recto said before such campaign is reloaded with funds, questions as to how it will be implemented must first be asked by Congress, which will approve that request.

He also noted the Internal Affairs Service (IAS), which investigates cases of police abuses within the PNP, would be given 1731 million for the salaries of its personnel.

This is purposely specified in the national budget so its release will not be withheld by police officers who may be the subject of its investigation.

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito, in a DZBB interview, said he regrets his move to approve an additional 11-billion budget for the PNP to buy equipment and to increase their anticrime capabilities during the proposed 2017 national budget hearings.

“I admit, at times, I’m losing interest to once again support the PNP or even add to their budget if this is how they will do it,” Ejercito said.