Cops in Kian slay given reprieve

The policemen implicated in the murder of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos were about to be recommended for dismissal from the service by the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) of the Philippine National Police (PNP) but it did not happen after the Office of the Ombudsman took over the investigation of the case, an official said yesterday. IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said they were already done with their summary dismissal proceedings and about to draft a resolution when the ombudsman sought the transfer of the case.

The case was forwarded to the ombudsman on Oct. 25 after two subpoenas were issued to Triambulo.

“The police officers involved should have been dismissed because I already gave a timeline until the end of October as what I stated at the Senate,” Triambulo said yesterday in a text message.

Triambulo did not say who among the 15 policemen facing administrative charges at IAS should be dismissed, noting he no longer read the records after he signed the transmittal letter for the case records to the ombudsman.

Triambulo said the guilt of the policemen involved is glaring based on the evidence presented. He did not elaborate.

The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) has filed murder cases against four policemen who allegedly had direct participation in Delos Santos’ killing. They are former Caloocan City Police Community Precinct 7 head Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo, Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares and PO1s Jeremiah Pereda and Jerwin Cruz.

Triambulo initially insisted on finishing the administrative cases, citing the rule on exclusivity as stated in Republic Act 8551 or the Philippine National Police Reform and Reorganization Act, noting IAS was the first body that handled the case.

However, he relented after the ombudsman issued the subpoenas.

“I think it’s better if the ombudsman will decide on the case,” said Triambulo, noting there were concerns from critics about a possible whitewash since IAS is part of the PNP.

Delos Santos, a drug suspect, was killed on Aug. 16 during an anti-drug operation. Police claimed he put up a fight but witnesses said he was a victim of a summary execution.