Senate investigates death of 17-yr old Kian delos Santos during drug raid

On Thursday, the Philippine Senate under its Committee on Public Order and Illegal Drugs, chaired by Senator Panfilo Lacson started the hearing on the controversial death of 17-yr old Kian Loyd delos Santos by the Caloocan Police last August 17. Kian is a Grade-11 student at Our Lady of Lourdes Senior High School in Valenzuela. During the televised investigation, police confirmed that there were no actual targets in the operation in Kian’s community, and that the teenager’s supposed drug ties were only “confirmed” after the operation, when an arrested drug pusher claimed Kian was a drug runner.

The on-going investigation is supported by Malacanang. Communications Secretary Martin Andanar earlier said that “the Senate, PNP and NBI should get to the bottom of this controversy to bring out the truth over this incident and let responsible persons to answer for what they did.

Even President Rodgrigo Duterte, after seeing the CCTV footage of the arrest and dragging of Kian by the police, immediately called PNB Chief Bato telling him to arrest and jail the policemen involved in the death of Kian. On August 18, they have been under restrictive custody, PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 jeremias Pereda and PO1 Jerwin Cruz. Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo was also placed under restrictive custody. On August 19, Caloocan City Police Chief Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna is relieved. On August 22 Senir Supt Roberto Fajardo, Chief of the Northern Poice District,was sacked from his post.

The hearing continues on Tuesday.