Kian a shy kid we once convinced to go to zumba for a girl, friends say

Friends of Kian delos Santos belied insinuations by police that the 17-year-old was a drug runner or a neighborhood bully, saying the characterization was farthest from the truth.

At the wake of the senior high school student who was killed in a police operation last week, his buddies spoke up about his character.

"Nakakainis lang kasi na sasabihin nila na siga, runner. Parang napaka-imposible kasi eh, kasi 'yung mismong bata tumatambay sa bahay namin 'yung mismong minsan, minsan kakain na lang kwek-kwek lang ang ulam, walang pera 'yung tao. Hindi naman sila nanghihingi rito, hindi naman sila nambabakal ng tao dito," Jimbo Bejosa said.

Other friends recalled their happy moments together with Delos Santos, who they described as a shy kid who was interested in things that normal teenagers would do.

Once, they even convinced him to overcome his shyness to attend a zumba class... just to get closer to a girl.

"Ang challenge po namin sir, kailangan niyang matabihan 'yung... may babae kasi dun sir. Kailangan niyang tumabi dun. Eh ako 'yung nasa linya ng babae, kailangan niyang maagaw 'yung linya ko," said Manolo Sopera.

Police earlier floated a certain Renato Loberas who allegedly had drug transactions with Kian Loyd. Loberas claimed Delos Santos acted as a drug runner for a certain Neneng.

Northern Police District director Chief Superintendent Roberto Fajardo also claimed that Delos Santos was known as a toughie and a drug runner in their community.

Fajardo has been relieved from his post pending the probe on Delos Santos' death. —JST, GMA News