Drug suspect describes alleged transactions with Kian

A drug suspect who has become a police witness described on Saturday how he transacted with a drug-running minor who turned out to be Kian delos Santos, the 17-year-old Grade 11 student who was killed by the police in a drug raid in Caloocan City last Wednesday.

Police witness Renato Loberas said that as far as he can remember, he had been buying illegal drugs from a dealer who was obviously a minor.

Loberas, alias "Lando," was taken into police custody a day after Kian's death. He claimed that  Kian was working for a drug personality known as "Neneng."

In describing his transactions with Kian, Loberas told GMA News' "Balitanghali" on Sunday: "Abutan lang po. 'Pag na-contact ko na po sa cellphone 'yung Neneng, si Kian na po ang mag-aabang sa akin sa kanto."

"Salubong lang po, daan lang po, kaliwaan lang po, diretso na. Alam ko pong menor de edad po, sa itsura po niya, sir... 'tsaka tipong ganoon lang po kami, daan lang, wala nang usap-usap," he added.

Loberas surfaced as a police witness days after Kian's death caused a uproar among citizens and human rights advocates, who doubt the police narrative of the 11th grader's death.

According to the Balitanghali report,  Kian's uncle was suspicious of the timeline of Loberas' arrest, which he said, took place only a few hours after Kian's death.

Loberas' claims were contrary to the account of another witness who said Kian begged for his life before being shot to death by the police.

Also, Loberas claimed that Kian was not the victim police were dragging away as seen in a CCTV footage.

Relatives and friends have insisted that Kian was a victim of summary execution, with the police planting evidence  and weaving a story that he shot it out with lawmen.

As the Northern Police District prepares to conduct an investigation into Kian's death, National Capital Region Police Office chief director Oscar Albayalde relieved Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna.

Albayalde said Bersaluna's sacking does not mean that the police official was involved in the anti-drug operation that resulted in the death of Delos Santos.

On the other hand, Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday said that all witnesses to Kian's slay are now under her custody and protection. —LBG, GMA News