Protesters display placards and light candles outside the wake for slain Kian Loyd delos Santos, a 17-year-old Grade 11 student, who was killed in a police raid on Aug. 16, 2017. The killing of Kian has sparked protests and condemnation from the public. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)
Militant lawmakers urged the House of Representatives on Tuesday to investigate the killing of a 17-year-old student in Caloocan City during an anti-drug operation of the police.
Members of the left-leaning Makabayan bloc filed House Resolution No. 1209 directing the House committee on human rights to condemn and conduct an investigation, in aid of legislation, into the killing of Kian Loyd delos Santos by members of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
READ: Autopsy shows Kian died of 3 gunshot wounds
The resolution was signed by Bayan Muna Party-list Rep. Carlos Isagani Zarate, ACT Teachers Party-list Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriel Women’s Party Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao, and Kabataan Party-list Rep. Sarah Jane Elago.
“Given the need for adherence to human and civil rights standards by all law enforcement agencies in the anti-drug campaign, and the apparent pieces of evidence pointing to the contrary on the Delos Santos case, an inquiry into the killing of Kian Loyd delos Santos is of utmost importance and urgency,” the lawmakers said in the resolution.
Delos Santos was killed on August 16 by members of the Caloocan City Police for allegedly fighting back. However, a CCTV footage showed Delos Santos being dragged by plainclothes policemen before he was found dead. Witnesses also recounted hearing the boy pleading for his life.
The 11th grader was one of the at least 80 people reportedly killed during police operations in Metro Manila and Bulacan the past week. It has raised alarm and public outrage, as well as condemnation from both critics and allies of President Rodrigo Duterte. JPV