The guilty verdict on the three police officers who killed 17-year-old Kian delos Santos shows that there’s still hope for the country, opposition senatorial candidates said Thursday.
READ: 3 policemen guilty of killing Kian delos Santos — court
Magdalo partylist Rep. Gary Alejano hailed the “historic” conviction, noting that it is the first time that police officers were convicted in line with the administration’s war on drugs.
“Ang pag-usad ng kaso ni Kian delos Santos ay isang senyales na may pag-asa pa sa ating bansa (The verdict on Kian delos Santos’ case is a sign that there is still hope in the country),” he said in a statement.
“Ito ay simula pa lamang ng ating laban para sa hustisya at hindi dito nagtatapos ang lahat dahil marami pang mga naging biktima ang Oplan Tokhang (This is only the beginning of our fight for justice, and this will not end until the other victims of Oplan Tokhang get justice),” he added.
Former Bangsamoro Transition Committee member Samira Gutoc, meanwhile, said that the guilty verdict on the three policemen will “inspire” the courts to quickly resolve other pending cases.
“This will serve as a beacon of hope for the people who turn to our justice system seeking recourse and recompense for injustices and damages done,” she said.
“It will inspire our courts to expedite cases, clear their dockets, and make way for serving justice,” she added.
She also noted that the conviction serves not only a victory for the friends and family of the slain teenager but also for those who are “seeking justice in this country.”
Earlier, the Caloocan City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 125 convicted PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda, and PO1 Jerwin Cruz for killing Delos Santos in August 2017.