MGA PULIS NA SANGKOT SA PAGKAMATAY NI KIAN NAKILALA NA!

Kian Delos Santos was a 17-year-old minor who is the latest casualty in the growing number of people below 18 to have been killed by the police because of anti-drug operations. He was a Grade 11 student who was reported to be closing their family store when he got involved in the Caloocan police’s operation.

He lost his life and evidence from the CCTV footage, along with firsthand accounts, indicated that Kian Delos Santos was brutally killed by the authorities when they shot him with a gun. Several people went to the People Power Monument on August 21, 2017, to protest against Kian’s death. Even famous personalities lambasted the incident and expressed their outrage.

Now, it was reported by ABS-CBN News that the policemen who have been involved with Kian Delos Santos’ death were already identified. They are Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares, Police Officer 1 Jeremias Pereda, and Police Officer 1 Jerwin Cruz.

The report narrated the events that led to Kian’s death:

“Surveillance footage showed 2 officers dragging Delos Santos to the spot where the boy was killed. A witness also alleged that the police beat up the victim, gave him a gun by force, and told Delos Santos to run for his life.”

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Ronaldo “Bato” Dela Rosa believed that Kian Delos Santos was an alleged drug courier for his own father and uncle. Kian’s family, on the other hand, denied the minor’s involvement. The three police officers were officially relieved of their duties last Thursday, August 17, 2017. They are temporarily under the custody of the Metro Manila police headquarters support service located in Camp Bagong Diwa, Taguig City.

National Capital Region Police Office Chief Director Oscar Albayalde added that they were placed under restrictive custody because there was no commitment order placed against them yet. According to him, they have yet to secure themselves a lawyer. In addition, Caloocan City Police Chief Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna has also been relieved of his position as of Saturday, August 19, 2017, following the investigation on Kian Delos Santos’ case.

On Tuesday, August 22, 2017, Dela Rosa announced that Northern Police District Director Chief Superintendent Roberto Fajardo has also been relieved as well because of “command responsibility pending investigation of the incident.”