THE Supreme Court (SC) announced on Monday its decision affirming the murder conviction of three policemen involved in the killing of drug war victim Kian delos Santos in 2017.
Akbayan party-list Jose Manuel “Chel” Diokno hailed the SC ruling, saying it ultimately delivered justice after eight years of waiting.
The SC Second Division found the respondent Caloocan police officers guilty of murder and were sentenced to life jail term, or up to 40 years in prison.
The officers, identified as Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda, and Jerwin Cruz, the 17-year-old Kian on alleged suspicion of drug possession.
The Court found that the officers deliberately took Kian to a secluded location and placed him in a helpless position to ensure the execution of the crime.
As such, the SC ruled that the officers were not acting within the bounds of their duty, stressing that the killing of a minor could not be considered standard in this operation” and that the “performance of duties does not include murder.”
The High Tribunal also ordered payment of P275,000 in exemplary and moral damages in favor of Kian’s family.
“We welcome the Supreme Court’s decision affirming the conviction of the three policemen behind his gruesome killing,” Diokno said.
“But our search for justice and accountability does not end here,” Diokno said, adding that government officials who served as the architect that pushed and supported the bloody anti-drug war should also be held accountable.
