Senate sets probe on Kian, drug deaths for Thursday

Sen. Panfilo Lacson. INQUIRER FILE

The Senate will open a probe on the spate of drug killings, particularly the case of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos, on Thursday, Aug. 24.

The committee on public order and dangerous drugs has been tasked to spearhead the inquiry from 2 p.m. onwards, Senator Panfilo Lacson said in a text message on Monday.

The Senate majority bloc will file the resolution condemning Delos Santos’s death and seeking investigation on the possible abuses committed by the police in the drug war.

Earlier Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III said he wanted to look into the Philippine National Police (PNP)’s anti-drug campaign “Oplan Double Barrel,” while other senators said the PNP’s Internal Affairs Service (IAS) should explain their slow action on cases against erring PNP personnel.

The minority senators, particularly Senator Risa Hontiveros, has taken custody of people who witnessed members of the Caloocan City police maul and kill Delos Santos last Aug. 16.

Police claimed the grade 11 student resisted authorities and allegedly fired at them. Security footage tend to depict otherwise.

Witnesses said two policemen in plainclothes suddenly grabbed Delos Santos and blindfolded him, before they shot the minor.  They also saw the unarmed Delos Santos crying and pleading for his life. CBB