PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte on Thursday, Oct. 26, said there is a “twist” in the Aug. 16 killing of Kian Loyd Delos Santos, even as he appeared to affirm the reported circumstances of that murder.

The killing of Mr. delos Santos, 17, in the hands of Caloocan police marked a turn in public opinion on the drug war, amid continued developments of other presumably innocent teenagers slain in the course of that police campaign.

“Kagaya ‘yung kay Kian na estudyante. Well, you will know the truth, at least the version of the police, ‘pag mag-umpisa na ang trial,” Mr. Duterte said at the 6th Professional Summit on Thursday. (Just like [what happened to] Kian, the student. Well, you will know the truth, at least the version of the police, when the trial begins).

“But it will not excuse or justify killing a person whose hands are raised, ready to surrender, or kneeling down. Because that is really murder. Pero may twist diyan (But there is a twist),” he added.

In a related development, defense lawyer Oliver S. Yuan on Friday filed a Joint Rejoinder Affidavit in behalf of 13 of the 16 police officers implicated in the case by complainants Saldy F. delos Santos and Lorenza D. delos Santos.

The parents of the slain Mr. delos Santos are represented by the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO).

“How can respondents PO2 Arnel R. Canezares, PO2 Fernan C. Cano, PO2 Diony B. Corpuz, PO1 Silverio C. Garcia, Jr., PO1 J-Rossillini O. Lorenzo, PO1 Christian Joy G. Aguilar, PO1 Myrldon L. Yagi and PO1 Ronald B. Herrera be considered also as conspirators when these said respondents were not even at the place where the alleged crime was allegedly committed? These respondents did not even take part in the conduct of “Oplan Galugad” on Aug. 16. On the other hand, respondents PO1 Reynaldo Dan M. Blanco, Jr., PO1 Ceferino B. Paculan, PO1 Erwin C. Romeroso and PO1 Ferdinand R. Claro were in the barangay hall, together with respondent PCI Amor C. Cerillo,” Mr. Yuan said, adding:

“Ang nasa crime scene lang talaga tatlo (Really there were only three in the crime scene). Only PO3 (Arnel) Oares, PO1 (Jeremias) Pereda and PO1 (Jerwin) Cruz. Sila lang yung nasa crime scene. The rest of the respondents, wala.” (They were the only ones in the crime scne. The rest of the respondents were not there.)

At the same time, Mr. Yuan remarked on Mr. Cruz’s claim of a police asset when the policeman testified before the Senate inquiry on the case.

“Nobody believed during that time, sabi nila palusot (people were saying they were trying to get themselves off the hook),” the lawyer said, adding:

“Pero doon sa mga witnesses mismo presented by the PAO, one of their witnesses admitted in his affidavit na may nakita siyang tatlong pulis na lumabas sa bahay nila Kian may kasamang isang taong nakamaskara at tinuturo sa pulis kung sino ang mga involved sa droga.” (But among the witnesses themselves as presented by the PAO, one of them admitted in his affidavit seeing three cops leaving Kian’s house together with somebody who was masked pointing at the police those who were involved in drugs.)

“So that establishes the fact (that) during that night of that Oplan Galugad there is an asset together with the police.”

Mr. Yuan also noted an earlier assertion by the complainants that “implied conspiracy existed only among” the three cops.

“And also the PAO relied heavily on the initial findings of the IAS (Internal Affairs Service of the Philippine National Police),” the lawyer said, adding further:

“The problem is the findings of IAS is related only to the administrative aspect of this case. 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.”

“So relying on the initial finding by the PAO is really wrong.”

“And they also mentioned chief inspector Cerillo is indicted only because of command responsibility. So if that is the case, then chief inspector Cerillo should be only administratively liable and not criminally liable.”

Asked about Mr. Duterte’s comments on Thursday, Mr. Yuan said: “I do not have any idea tungkol sa sinasabi ni Presidente (about what the President said).” – Rosemarie A. Zamora and Andrea Louise E. San Juan

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