Witness tells Senate probe:‘Walang putukang nangyari’

A witness in the killing of Kian Loyd delos Santos positively identified on Tuesday two of the three Caloocan police officers allegedly involved in the August 16 incident.

The witness identified as “MC” pointed to Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares and Police Officer 1 Jeremias Pereda when Senator Risa Hontiveros asked her if she can identify the men she saw with Delos Santos moments before he was shot dead.

MC also belied the statement of the police that Delos Santos fired at them when they arrested him during the One Time, Big Time operation in Sta. Quiteria, Caloocan City.

“Wala po(ng putukang nangyari), pababa po sila,  walang putukang nangyari.  Nagpaputok na sila nung pababa,” MC told the Senate hearing being conducted by the public order and dangerous drugs committee.

She said she was on her way to buy rice and cigarettes when she saw the two police officers dragging away another person she would later learn was Delos Santos.

“Bibili ako ng bigas at yosi pero hindi [na ako]natuloy dahil nakita ko sila nagmamadali,  sabi nila tabi, tabi. ‘Yung isa naka-ano sa ulo. Kung saan sila papunta doon din ako, hindi ko alam na papatayin ‘yung bata malapit sa amin,” she said.

She said the police pushed Delos Santos near a pig sty about three houses away from their house, and shot him there.

“Nakatago ako sa gate, nakita ko sa kanila tatlo lang, dalawa lang po makikilala ko kasi ‘yung isa nakatalikod. ‘Yung bahay namin may ilaw, tatlong bahay ang pagitan makikita mo sila. Tinulak nila si Kian sa gilid ng babuyan tapos narinig ko si Kian na ‘sir, huwag po’,” she said.

In her affidavit, a copy of which was provided to the media, MC said Delos Santos’ face was covered while he was being dragged by the policemen.

“Lumingon ako at may nakita akong tatlong lalaki. ‘Yung dalawang lalaki ay nasa magkabilang gilid ng isang lalaking nakatakip ang mukha ng t-shirt habang kinakaladkad nila ito. ‘Yung isa nakahawak  sa kamay ng lalaking nakatakip ang mukha, ‘yung isa nakahawak sa may leeg ng lalaking nakatakip ang mukha,” she said.

“May dalawang lalaki pang tila sumusunod sa kanila. Lahat sila ay naka-civilian lang,” she added.

She said although not in uniform, she recognized the men as the police officers who have been arresting drug addicts and pushers in their area.

MC identified Oares as the man who shot Delos Santos.

“Pagkatapos kong makita sa mga larawan mula sa news at sa hearing sa Senado nakilala ko sa mukha yung lalaking naka-green ang damit na nagpaputok ng baril kay Kian. Napag-alaman kong siya ay si PO3 Arnel Oares,” she said.— RSJ/KVD/KBK, GMA News