Presidential spokesperson Ernesto Abella (Malacañang file photo by ROBINSON NIÑAL JR.)
The filing of charges against the four policemen involved in the alleged murder of 17-year-old student in Caloocan City proved that President Rodrigo Duterte does not tolerate wrongdoing, a Palace official said on Saturday.
READ: PAO lawyers file murder, torture raps vs Caloocan cops in Kian death
“The President has reminded our law enforcement officers in numerous occasions that he will not tolerate their wrongdoings or illegal acts, and the filing of a criminal complaint underscores this resolve of the government,” Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella said in a statement.
“Let us allow the legal process to run its course, and trust the justice system under the Duterte presidency,” he added.
The Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) on Friday filed murder and torture charges before the Department of Justice against four policemen involved in the killing of Kian delos Santos. The accused included Caloocan City Police Station 7 head Chief Insp. Amor Cerillo, Police Officer (PO) 3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremiah Pereda, and PO1 Jerwin Cruz.
Delos Santos was killed on August 16 for allegedly fighting against the police during an anti-illegal drug operation in Libis Baisa, Barangay 160, Caloocan City.
However, two separate autopsies by the Public Attorney’s Office and the Philippine National Police (PNP) Northern Police District Crime Laboratory showed the boy was shot at close range while kneeling on the ground.
Delos Santos was laid to rest on Saturday afternoon at the La Loma Cemetery in Manila after a three-hour funeral march from Sta. Quiteria Church in Caloocan City. Hundreds of mourners joined the procession, chanting justice for Delos Santos and end to killings brought about by the government’s violent crackdown against illegal drugs.
His death has triggered public uproar and put back into the spotlight the government’s bloody war on drugs, which claimed the lives of thousands of suspected drug criminals. JPV