OFFICIAL CONFIRMS: IT WAS KIAN IN VIDEO
Caloocan policemen committed lapses, says Internal Affairs Service. 13 policemen under investigation; erring personnel to be charged.
The head of the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (IAS) said two officers from the Caloocan Police have admitted that it was 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos in the surveillance video and that they had guided the teenager toward the spot where he was found dead.
“May inamin dalawang pulis na sila nga daw ang nag-akbay kay Kian at si Kian ang nasa video at taliwas sa kanilang unang sinasabi na ‘yun ay ‘yung informant,” said IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo.
He declined to identify the two policemen, but confirmed that there were lapses during the August 16 “one-time, big-time” police operation. Triambulo said charges will be filed against the erring policemen today.
“Although hindi pa tapos ang investigation dahil titignan pa ‘yung SOCO report, police report,” he said.
The IAS investigation report will be submitted to PNP Director General Ronald dela Rosa today.
Four policemen were earlier ordered relieved and then placed under restrictive custody in connection with the killing of Delos Santos. They are Police Officer (PO) 3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda, PO1 Jerwin Cruz and their precinct commander, Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo.
Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, station commander of Caloocan, was also placed on “administrative relief.”
Delos Santos, a Grade 11 student, was killed by police as part of the large-scale crackdown against illegal drugs last August 16.
Police earlier claimed Delos Santos was “nanlaban” by shooting at the officers before fleeing.
Witnesses, however, said Delos Santos was forced by the police to hold a gun, told to fire it and run. The teener, who pleaded for his life, was also made to hold packs of suspected methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu.
Closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed Delos Santos was dragged by police.
His killing has sparked public outrage and galvanized various sectors into protest actions.
Triambulo said the investigating team interviewed 13 Caloocan policemen as part of the investigation.
“Nakita sa record na sa (onetime big-time) operation na ‘yun ay involving 13 personnel. Ang under restrictive custody at natanggalan ng tsapa ay apat pa lang kaya nag-ocular inspection, bumalik, pumunta sa area, nag interview pa sa ibang pulis na allegedly involved in the operation na para kung sila ay kasama rin aming irerequest na sila ay aming disarmahan at ilagay sa restrictive custody,” he said.
Dela Rosa yesterday reiterated that such killing is not sanctioned by him nor President Rodrigo Duterte.
“Gusto kong iparating sa ating mga kababayan na ang mga pangyayaring ganyan, ‘yan po ay walang sanction, kung totoo mang binaril na walang kalaban-laban ang bata,” he said.