PAO warns other cops after conviction of Kian’s killers

PAO chief Dr. Persida Rueda Acosta. INQUIRER file photo / LYN RILLON

The conviction of police officers who killed Kian delos Santos should serve as a warning to other erring policemen, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) said on Thursday.

According to PAO chief Persida Acosta, the guilty verdict against PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda and PO1 Jerwin Cruz is also a proof that justice will be served against law enforcers who commit extra-judicial killings (EJK).

“Kaya ‘pag meron pong kapulisan o sino mang law enforcer na lumabag sa operations manual ng PNP at investigative body ay mananagot po sila sa batas,” Acosta told reporters after Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Branch 125 Judge Roldolfo Azucena Jr.

(So when there are policemen or any law enforcers who wiolate the operations manual of the PNP and the investigative body, they will be answerable to the law.)

“‘Yan po ay patunay na may rule of law, truth and justice sa ating bansa.  Kung meron man pong nagaganap na EJK, hindi po ‘yan pinahihintulutan ng gobyerno, ‘yang EJK na ‘yan,” she added.

(That is a proof that there is a rule of law, truth and justice in our country. If there is indeed EJK, our government doesn’t allow it.)

The three officers were given a sentence of reclusion perpetua or 30 years without eligibility of parole.  They were also ordered by the court to pay more than P300,000 worth of damages to the family.

READ: 3 policemen guilty of killing Kian delos Santos — court

Acosta said that the family of Delos Santos is thankful for the court’s favorable decision.

“Ang pamilya Delos Santos po ay nagpapasalamat sa hukom, kay Judge Azucena sa kanyang paggawad ng hatol na habambuhay na pagkakabilanggo,” she added.

(The Delos Santos family is thanking the judge, to Judge Azucena for handing down a verdict of life sentence.)

According to previous reports, authorities from the Caloocan City Police were conducting anti-drug operations in Barangay 160 in Caloocan when Delos Santos, whom the police accused of being part of the illegal drug trade, was shot dead.

The policemen claimed that the victim open fired at them after resisting arrest, although closed circuit television (CCTV) footage showed policemen dragging an unarmed Delos Santos to a secluded area despite his pleas.

Former NPD officials reasoned out that Delos Santos was a known drug runner in their barangay.  However, they admitted that he was a new drug personality, and was not the initial target of the operation. /jpv

READ: PNP: Kian was only a newly identified drug suspect during police ops