Bato dela Rosa orders CIDG to lead probe on killing of Kian

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has ordered the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Kian Loyd delos Santos.

“I have given them instructions na bilisan nila para maayos kaagad itong problemang ito,” Dela Rosa said in a radio interview.

“Sa ngayon ang CIDG nasa estado pa ng pag-iimbestiga wherein nangongolekta sila ng ebidensya para sa pag-file ng kaso,” he added.

The PNP chief said the CIDG personnel are now looking for the closed-circuit television recording while the firearms of the Caloocan police personnel involved have been brought to the PNP Crime Laboratory for ballistic tests.

“Hinahanap nila yung mga CCTV recording, ‘yung mga baril nung mga suspects ay pina-turnover na sa CIDG para ipadala doon sa Crime Lab for ballistics,” he said.

Impartiality

Meanwhile at a press conference, PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Dionardo Carlos said that to guarantee impartiality in the investigation, Dela Rosa has ordered the administrative relief of Caloocan City police chief, Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna.

“Although, Senior Supt. Bersaluna is not directly the subject of the investigation, the administrative relief precludes the possibility of his influence over the investigation of the incident,” Carlos said.

He said the PNP chief also instructed National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Oscar Albayalde to place all Caloocan personnel being investigated under restrictive custody by the NCRPO.

“Subsequently, these personnel shall be placed under the restrictive custody of the CIDG upon the filing of charges against them,” Carlos said.

He said the PNP extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Kian Loyd “over this unfortunate incident, with the sincerest assurance of our highest resolve to serve the best interest of truth and justice.” 

Authorities said De los Santos attempted to flee when they were approaching him. Police chased the 17-year-old student but he allegedly drew a gun and fired at them, forcing them to fire back.

Reportedly recovered from Delos Santos were a .45 pistol and two sachets of suspected shabu with a street value of about twenty-thousand pesos. His relatives, however, said the items did not belong to the teenager and witnesses claimed the cops' version of events was not true.

A CCTV camera footage also showed that the cops appeared to be carrying De los Santos to the place where he was killed, contrary to police claims that he resisted arrest and took off. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News