Kian laid to rest
More than a thousand people took 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos to his final resting place, turning the march into one of the biggest protests yet against the government’s deadly war on drugs.
Mourners, some of them wearing white shirts, held flowers and small flags, and placards denouncing the killing. The families of about 20 victims of the government’s illegal drugs campaign joined the procession.
Kian’s death has drawn widespread attention to allegations that police have been systematically executing suspected users and dealers – a charge the authorities deny.
Nuns, priests, and hundreds of children chanting “justice for Kian, justice for all” joined the four-hour funeral cortege as it made its way from a church in Sta. Quiteria to the La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan City.
The police claimed they shot Kian in self-defense after he reportedly resisted arrest and fired a gun at them. But their alibi crushed in the face of an autopsy report by the Philippine National Police (PNP) Crime Laboratory and the forensic experts of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) showing that Kian was shot in the head at close range while slumped on the ground. Kian also tested negative for nitrate powder, an indication he did not fire a gun.
The close-circuit television footage also showed two policemen in civilian clothes dragging what witnesses said was Kian.
The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) photographed Kian with a gun on his left hand. Kian’s father, Saldy said his son was right-handed.
A witness told Manila Bulletin, the cop-suspects slapped and punched Kian in anger after they found nothing on him. Kian reportedly begged them to stop, saying he still has an exam the following day. The witness said the cop-suspects gave Kian a gun, fire it, and told him to run.
Relieved Caloocan police chief Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna told a Senate inquiry Kian was a drug runner and validated his involvement in the illegal drug trade through social media. Bersaluna later claimed they learned about Kian’s alleged involvement in illegal drugs only after he was slain last August 16.
The three policemen who were last seen frisking Kian – PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremiah Pereda, and PO1 Jerwin Cruz – have since been relieved from their post.
President Duterte ordered PNP Chief Ronald dela Rosa to arrest and detain the cop-suspects who are now facing a murder charge before the Department of Justice. Duterte assured there would be no pardon for abusive cops.
Good son In his homily, Caloocan Diocese Bishop Pablo Virgilio David comforted the Delos Santos family. “Lorenza and Saldy, you are not alone. The family of those who lost a loved one in the war against drugs are here. We invited them.”
David, whose diocese is very active in helping drug users reform said the killing will not solve anything.
“Sick people need treatment. They should not be killed. Killing is never a solution,” the bishop added.
Kian's father said he prays that the family of the cops who gunned down Kian will not lose a son or daughter so that they would not feel the pain of losing a son.
Kian, Saldy said was a good son who helps him sell school supplies in their home to augment their family income. Lorenza, Kian’s mother works in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia who begged her employer to let her come home after learning about Kian’s death. The Delos Santos couple expressed gratitude to all who supported them in their call for justice.
On the eve of his interment, the couple fulfilled their son’s wish before he died. They bought him a bike even if he would not be around to ride it. (With reports from Kate Louise Javier and Reuters)