Martyred through publicity

There is a call by some quarters to review or even stop the government’s campaign against illegal drugs in view of the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos during a police operation in Caloocan City two weeks ago. For me, I support the move for the Philippine National Police or any law enforcement agency to review its standard operation procedure during raids, but the government should not stop its campaign against illegal drugs. Do these people want our country to become a narcotic state?

I observed that a pattern by some law enforcers to just shoot their prospective targets even if the latter are not armed and have no chance of fighting or shooting back. It seems the practice is encouraged. This scenario has happened several times and in order to justify the killing, authorities plant evidences like guns and illegal items. That is not good. We should condemn this.

Operatives even use the “old script” in dealing with criminals, which resulted to summary executions or salvaging of the subject. What do I mean by “old script”?

You know the usual story about the suspect, while being handcuffed and escorted to the station, suddenly grabs the firearm of the arresting officer, prompting other operatives to shoot the subject. Or the subject attempts to escape. Og sa drama pa ni sa stage, karaan na ning maong script pero mokita gihapon.

I know that during the actual operation, the SOP, or the rules of engagement, is not properly observed, especially if the subject is also armed and dangerous. During actual operations, top on law enforcers’ minds is to protect themselves. It’s

For me, whether Kian was “sinner of saint,” his death should be investigated. His death deserves justice and this can only be through an impartial investigation

better to kill the suspect rather than being killed themselves. That’s human instinct.

But if there is questionable conduct committed by law enforcers and if there are verified complaints from relatives of the subject that is the time that our investigative agencies and the Commission on Human Rights to come in and conduct a full dress investigation. We cannot tolerate abuses and human rights violations committed by our law enforcement. We value human lives.

In the case of Kian, was he really involved in the illegal drug trade as alleged by some witnesses? If he was, did he deserve to die that way? For me, whether Kian was “sinner or saint,” his death should be investigated. His death deserves justice and this can only be done through an impartial investigation.

But in fairness to authorities, the case has already been investigated and in fact the “suspect policemen” were already charged in court. So there is no reason for the anti-Duterte sector to demand for more. Let the court decide on the merit of the case.

The case of Kian has been “highlighted” because of the clamor of various sectors, especially human rights advocates, the anti-Dutertes, militant groups and even publicity-hungry politicians. The Senate is now conducting an investigation on the issue and there are several theories that cropped up.

And what’s this I heard that there are some quarters who want Kian to be declared a saint because he was a martyr like Jesus Christ. Susmaryosep! Do they know how tedious the canonization process is? Martyr by publicity and political exhibition? Pagkatoytoy ning mga nagsugyot ani.