Children’s book about Kian delos Santos published online by PCIJ

A 15-page children's book inspired by the life of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos was published on Tuesday by the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism through the PCIJ Story Project.

The full text is available online on social media platforms Facebook and Instagram.

The book, "Si Kian", shows the teenager's life as a bright student who dreamt of becoming a policeman someday.

A page reads:

Everyone knew his dream.

“I really want to be a policeman so I can round up the drug addicts in our neighborhood.”

The PCIJ Story Project was established on August 15 "to support collaborations between artists and journalists and encourage experiments in novel forms of telling stories in the news."

"Children’s books rarely deal with current events or with topics as dark as the killing of minors in the war on drugs. This project presented an opportunity to tell (or retell) Kian’s story in a new way, to audiences that may have been overwhelmed by—or inured to—the news. It is also an effort to reach out to younger readers," a statement from the organization read.

Weng Cahiles, author of National Book Award winner "What Kids Should Know About Andres and the Katipunan", wrote the story based on research by journalist Kimberly dela Cruz, edited by Sheila S. Coronel.

"Si Kian" is illustrated by Aldy C. Aguirre and was translated to English by poet Ramon Sunico.

According to the PCIJ Story Project, Dela Cruz "interviewed about 30 people and obtained documents from the police and the Public Attorney’s Office."

Dela Cruz was on assignment in Caloocan City shortly after Kian's death. She additionally covered his wake and funeral.

Kian's death attracted national attention when CCTV footage surfaced, belying police officers' claims that the teen was running from them. The police additionally claimed that Kian fired a gun at them, forcing them to fire back.

Sachets of shabu and a gun were allegedly found on Kian, but his friends and family have denied that these belonged to the slain teen.

Witnesses claimed that Kian begged for his life before he was shot.

"Si Kian" is also available for print. Contact storyproject@pcij.org for additional information. — RSJ/KVD, GMA News