Justice for Kian
Kian delos Santos, a Grade 11 student, was found dead lying in a fetal position with gunshots to his head after a so-called “one-time, big-time” anti-illegal drugs operation by the Caloocan City police on August 16, 2017 — while Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa was still the chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP.
Police said the minor drew a firearm, which prompted them to fire back. However, accounts from witnesses and a closed-circuit television showed two men in civilian clothes dragging Kian across a basketball court. Two small sachets of suspected shabu, a .45 caliber gun and four fired cartridge cases were recovered at the scene of the encounter. Witnesses also claimed the Kian was told to run and was handed a gun.
The Caloocan policemen alleged Kian was a drug runner, but the teenager’s family vehemently denied the allegation.
Kian’s death sparked public outrage and cast doubt on the government’s controversial war on drugs. Amid criticisms, Duterte defended the PNP, saying it’s an “insult” to say they have a policy to kill.
