The conviction of three policemen involved in the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos should serve as a warning for police officers to uphold the law in performing their duties, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Thursday.
The Caloocan City Regional Trial Court Branch 125 convicted PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda, and PO1 Jerwin Cruz of murder, but acquitted them of the charge of planting evidence against the minor who was killed in a police operation in August 2017.
READ: 3 policemen guilty of killing Kian delos Santos — court
“Let this conviction serve as a warning to our policemen to be worthy of their badges and always uphold the law as they perform their duties,” Año said in a statement.
“Law enforcers are expected to serve and protect the people. Scalawag police officers will never be tolerated by the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government),” he said.
Amid the court’s decision, Año said the police are expected to strictly adhere to the rule of law and respect human rights.
He said the ruling also proves that justice works in the country.
“The verdict imposed by the court on the three cops proves that justice in our country is not blind and does not distinguish whether one is in a position of authority or not,” Año said.
He added it also shows that the government does not tolerate misdeeds of law enforcers.
Año has assured that the DILG will continue to intensify its internal cleansing efforts to get rid of scalawags in the ranks of the police. /muf
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