Duterte to Kian’s parents: Justice will be served
President Duterte assured the parents of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos that justice will prevail after police allegedly deliberately killed the teenager this month.
This after Duterte had a close-in meeting with Saldy and Lorenza delos Santos at around 1 p.m. upon the request of the parents of the slain Grade 11 student.
Also present during the said meeting were Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II, Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) chief Persida Acosta, and Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption (VACC) Chairman Dante Jimenez.
Malacañang said the parents of the slain teenager thanked Duterte for assuring that justice will be served.
During their meeting, the President reassured that there will be no interference in the case, citing that only due process will prevail and that the handling of the case will be fair.
Aguirre, on the other hand, said the almost two-hour meeting went smoothly and all the concerns of the parents, like their security, were addressed by the President.
Kian’s parents also asked the President for financial assistance so they can start their own business because Lorenza only earns 118,000 by working as a domestic helper in Saudi Arabia.
Absence at wake Aguirre said Duterte explained that he chose not to attend the wake of the slain student as it would seem like he is already admitting that it was the fault of the police even if the investigation is still ongoing.
Kian, who was laid to rest on Sat- urday, was allegedly manhandled and killed by members of the Caloocan City Police during the conduct of Oplan Galugad last August 16.
The Senate and the National Bureau of Investigation are now investigating the case after a police report claimed that Kian resisted arrest and fired at the lawmen first. However, a CCTV footage showed he was being dragged by police to where he was eventually found dead. Witnesses also gave statements supporting the CCTV footage.
For the first few days after Kian’s death, Duterte refused to comment on the issue publicly but said he ordered Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Ronald dela Rosa to detain the three policemen involved for murder.
“My visit would be pregnant with so many suppositions. It would put so much pressure on the police and be interpreted as saying sorry,” Duterte said. “I would be the last to condemn the police without investigation,” he added.
A serious matter
Malacañang also said that Kian death is a serious matter, contrary to Aguirre’s opinion that the incident was just “blown out of proportion.”
“Let us be clear on this, I said I will protect those who are doing their duty. I never promised to protect those who are supposedly engaged in doing their duty but committing a crime in the process; abuses. That cannot be done,” Duterte had said.
The Palace also earlier said that Kian’s death should serve as a reminder to the PNP to follow established policies and operational procedures.
“Kian’s case is a wake-up call for the need to reform government institutions; even law enforcement agencies–a challenge that the President voiced from the beginning of his campaign for the presidency,” Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella had said.
Yesterday, Aguirre made up for his earlier statement, saying: “The violent taking of the life of our youth is deplorable. It simply cannot be allowed to go unpunished.”
“And I give my solemn reassurances to everyone that the ones responsible for this dastardly act will be punished to the full extent of the law,” he added. (With a report from Jeffrey G. Damicog)