Sen. Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday described the Supreme Court (SC) ruling, which affirmed the murder conviction of three police officers in the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, as a clear declaration that the teenager was defenseless and unlawfully killed.
She said the high court decisively rejected claims of an armed encounter and ruled that Kian did not resist arrest, exposing false narratives used to excuse his death.
“This decision is good news for the family and loved ones of Kian delos Santos. May it help them heal and move forward,” Hontiveros said.
“This is also an inspiring development for human rights advocates, lawyers, civic groups, and other families of victims of Tokhang,” she added.
With the killing now definitively recognized as murder, the senator said accountability should extend to officials who attempted to conceal the crime and malign the victim and his family.
She pointed out that justice remains incomplete if responsibility stops with the triggermen and does not reach those who enabled, ordered, or tolerated abuses tied to police operations.
“There are thousands more who have suffered like the Delos Santos family. Hopefully, one day, they will achieve the justice and peace they seek,” Hontiveros concluded.
