TWELVE more members of the Caloocan City police previously listed as “John Does” have been identified and included as respondents in the complaint before the Department of Justice, in connection with the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos.
Included in the complaint were PO2s Arnel R. Canezares, Diony B. Corpuz and Fernan C. Cano and PO1s Reynaldo Dan M. Blanco Jr., Silverio C. Garcia Jr., Ronald B. Herrera, Myrldon L.Yagi, Christian Joy G. Aguilar, Ceferino B. Paculan, J-Rossillini O. Lorenzo, Erwin C. Romeroso and Ferdinand R. Claro.
The new respondents were part of the police team who conducted the anti-illegal drugs operation that led to the death of Delos Santos on Aug. 16.
The Delos Santos family, assisted by the Public Attorneys’ Office, filed complaints for murder, torture, planting of evidence and violation of domicile under Article 128 of the Revised Penal Code against PO3 Arnel Oares and PO1s Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz and their superior, Chief Insp. Amor Cerillo before the DoJ.
The Delos Santos family cited the findings of the PNP-Internal Affairs Service of the existence of conspiracy among respondents Oares, Pereda and Cruz in the complaint, adding the investigation showed that “excessive force” had been employed that resulted in Kian’s death.
According to the family, the gunshot wounds sustained by the slain teenager also belied the claim of the respondents there was a shootout and that Kian fired at them first, prompting them to retaliate.
It said Cerillo, as the supervisor of PCP 7 of the Caloocan police, was liable for the negligent acts of his subordinates resulting in the death of Kian.
Cerillo, Cruz, Oares, and Pereda submitted their rejoinder affidavits during Tuesday’s hearing while the 12 other policemen have until Oct. 17 to submit counter affidavits.
The panel of prosecutors headed by Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Tofel Austria said the PAO would file a reply to the counter-affidavits of the 12 policemen on Oct. 23.
Another hearing was set for Oct. 25 for the policemen to submit their respective rejoinder affidavits after which the complaints would be submitted for resolution.
The panel said “they intend to wind up the hearing before the end of October so we can issue a resolution before the end of the month.”
During Tuesday’s hearing, only PO1 Paculan failed to appear because his name was not included in the subpoena sent out by the DoJ.
Delos Santos was killed in what police said was an anti-drug operation after he fired at them while trying to flee, prompting them to retaliate.
However, testimonies from witnesses and CCTV footage showed that Delos Santos could not have run away as he was dragged by two policemen after he was arrested.