MANILA, Philippines — It was the last Department of Justice (DOJ) hearing on the death of Kian delos Santos, as the DOJ panel submitted the case for a resolution which will determine whether or not the policemen being implicated in the killing should be indicted.
Sixteen Caloocan cops are facing charges for murder, torture, and planting of evidence including PCP 7 Commander Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo.
Twelve of the policemen insisted they should not be charged since only three were present in the crime scene – namely, PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda and PO1 Jerwin Cruz.
Eight of them did not participate in the operation at all.
“If you will charge them just because they are members of PCP 7 of Caloocan, what kind of law do we have then? Kian’s parents are crying for justice, but what about the innocent cops,” said Atty. Oliver Yuan, the lawyer for the policemen.
The lawyer said that the Public Attorney’s Office should not rely on the findings of the PNP – internal affairs service (IAS) since it is only for administrative proceedings.
“They alleged in their joint reply that there was already a finding of the IAS that all of the respondents are liable. But in truth, there is no decision yet from the IAS,” said the lawyer.
But according to PAO, this is mere alibi of the police
“Those are self-serving allegations which are better threshed out in a trial because usually alibi is the weakest defense,” said Deputy Chief Public Attorney for Luzon. Atty. Howard Areza.
The policemen maintained Kian was killed after he engaged them in a shootout during a legitimate anti-drugs operation. — Roderic Mendoza | UNTV News & Rescue
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