Hontiveros says witnesses in Kian slay are safer in senator’s custody

Senator Risa Hotiveros
INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said witnesses to the death 17-year-old Kian delos Santos remain under her custody amid requests of the Delos Santos family to transfer them under the protective care of the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

READ: Senator takes custody of Kian’s family, witnesses to killing

“Ikinonsulta namin doon sa mga saksi at mga pamilya nila kung saan sila pinakapanatag ang loob na mananatiling ligtas… at ayon sa kanila, sa ngayon, ay mas panatag sila na manatili kung nasasaan sila,” Hontiveros said in a press conference on Wednesday.

(We consulted the witnesses and their families where they feel they are most safe and according to them, they feel safer in where they are staying now.)

The senator, however, assured that she recognizes and respects the request of the Delos Santos family.

The three key witnesses, two of them being minors, are under the custody of the office of the senator since August 19, Saturday. They are also being represented by Atty. Minerva “June” Ambrosio, head of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines’ National Center for Legal Aid.

The witnesses are set to testify in a hearing of the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs tomorrow (Aug. 24), which will be presided by its chairman Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson.

The signed affidavits of the witnesses will be presented during the Senate hearing and these statements will be included in the filing of cases against the perpetrators of the killing of the Grade 11 student.

The witnesses were presented Wednesday to representatives of the PAO, National Bureau of Investigation and the Commission on Human Rights at the Child Protection Unit of the Philippine General Hospital. Daphne Yann P. Galvez, INQUIRER.net trainee / JPV