Witnesses in Kian’s slay now under senator's custody

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Sunday said the witnesses for the slay of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos are already under her custody and protection.

"My office took custody of the witnesses and began ensuring their safety. Another institution is also helping," Hontiveros said in a statement.

"The protection provided to the family will be extended to the key witnesses who will help in bringing to justice the perpetrators of the extrajudicial killing of Kian Lloyd delos Santos," she added.

On Saturday, Hontiveros visited the wake of Kian, who was killed in an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City on Wednesday night.

The senator, during her visit last Saturday, vowed to give protection to Kian's family and the witnesses.

"I am here to accord full protection and security to the family and to the witnesses, to provide whatever legal service is needed," she said.

Kian died after he was shot during an Oplan Galugad operation in Barangay 160 on Wednesday night.

Police claimed they recovered a cal-.45 hand gun and two sachets of suspected shabu from the victim.

The teenager's father, Zaldy, said that they have obtained a CCTV camera footage that shows his son was brought by policemen to the place where he was killed.

Policemen involved in the operation claimed the teenager resisted arrest and shot them with a pistol as he was escaping.

Zaldy claimed his son was blindfolded by the police and was being forced to identify drug pushers in their area.

A witness has also come out claiming that the teenager had begged for his life.

On Sunday, Vice President Leni Robredo also visited the wake of Kian and offered to give free legal assistance to his family. —Erwin Colcol/LBG, GMA News