Killing of Kian serious matter, says Palace

Lorenza delos Santos, left, cries upon seeing the police officers who were allegedly involved in the killing of her son Kian Loyd delos Santos, a 17-year-old Grade 11 student, at the senate committee hearing on her son’s killing Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017 in Pasay city southeast of Manila, Philippines. The killing of Kian Aug. 16, has sparked public outrage and condemnation of President Rodrigo Duterte’s so-called war on drugs. At right is her husband Saldy delos Santos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

The killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos in a police drug operation remains a “serious matter” for Malacañang, presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella said on Thursday after Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II played down the incident.

Aguirre told lawmakers on Wednesday that the media had blown an “isolated case” out of proportion.

“From the Palace’s point of view, this is a serious matter. And we have given it the kind of due attention,” Abella said. “But, on the other hand, it’s also wise to make sure that everything is continually in perspective,” he added.

During a budget hearing in the House of Representatives, Aguirre said Liberal Party senators and human rights groups decrying police abuses had been “very silent” about murders and rapes committed by criminal drug users, citing the June 27 massacre of a family of five in Bulacan.

“Have you issued calls to our fellow Filipinos when drug addicts rape or kill the youth as young as 1 year old? Have you ever made calls for those drug addicts to be arrested? Have you ever been concerned? Have you expressed your righteous indignation? No!” he exclaimed.

In a statement, Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David said: “If Secretary Aguirre has prejudged the witnesses even before hearing out their testimony, it means he is not really interested in the investigation and resolution of the case.” —WITH REPORTS FROM VINCE F. NONATO AND AIE BALAGTAS SEE

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