Robredo, human rights lawyer visit Kian’s wake

Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday visited the wake of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos who was killed during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City.

Robredo, who came all the way from Naga City, Camarines Sur, arrived at Delos Santos’s wake at 7:00 a.m. to offer condolences and legal assistance to Delos Santos’ family.

“Nangyari kasi yung nakakalungkot na pangyayari nasa Naga ako. May kasama akong abogado, binisita natin yung pamilya, tinitignan lang kung ano yung mga pangangailangan. Nandun yung tatay, nanay, kapatid at tiyuhin,” the vice president said over RMN-DZXL 558.

She added that she went with Atty. Jose Manuel Diokno, the chair of human rights lawyers organization Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG).

“Ito napakapersonal para sa akin kasi ka-edad nya yung bunso ko… Maiisip mo na kung anong nangyari sa kanya, pwedeng mangyari sa mga anak natin,” Robredo said.

“Nakakadurog ng puso yung nagkukwento yung magulang kung gaano kabait itong si Kian,” she added.

The vice president recalled how Delos Santos’ father, Zaldy, lamented the death of the grade 11 student.

According to the father, Delos Santos goes to school at around 1:00 p.m. and goes home at 7:00 p.m.

“Pero gigising sya ng 6:00 ng umaga para magbukas at magbantay ng kanilang tindahan,” Robredo said.

Robredo, who is also a human rights lawyer, condemned the killing of the innocent child.

“Nakakaawa kasi makikita mo isa itong ordinaryong pamilya kagaya ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino na talagang naghihikahos na pagdaaanan yung lahat ng kahirapan, mapaaral lang yung mga anak,” she said.

The Vice President was also accompanied by Delos Santos’ father as she inspected the area where the teenager was killed.

“Pinuntahan namin yang lugar… Yung barangay hall napakalapit. Kung manghuhuli bakit hindi sa barangay hall dadalin? Bakit dun sa madilim na lugar?” Robredo asked.

“Parang sumasagi sa isip natin, ilan naba yang Kian na dumaan, ilan paba yung Kian na mangyayari? Tingin ko obligasyon natin ipaalam yung pagkamuhi sa ganitong klaseng pangyayari,” she added

Robredo also confirmed that the family has decided to file charges, adding that while the problem of illegal drugs should be addressed, innocent lives should not be put into danger.

“Sang-ayon naman na malaki talaga yung suliranin natin sa ilegal na droga, pero baka ying pamamaraan pwedeng mas mabuti na hindi yung karapatang-pantao na yung nakasalalay, yung mga inosente nabibiktima,” she said.

Delos Santos was shot dead by policemen on Wednesday after “resisting” during a drug bust. However, several witnesses and a CCTV camera showed that he was mauled by policemen and was given a gun before he was told to run.