Senators hail Caloocan court guilty verdict as victory for justice

Senators hailed Thursday as victory for justice the guilty verdict handed by a  Caloocan trial court against the police officers involved in the killing of Kian delos Santos.

Senator Francis Pangilinan, Liberal Party president, said the court decision proves the lies peddled by some members of the Philippine National Police.

“Ngayong umaga, nagwagi ang hustisya. Napatunayang guilty of murder ang mga pulis sa pagkamatay ng batang si Kian delos Santos. Isang pagpapatunay na totoo ang karahasan ng ilang myembro ng kapulisan. Isang pagpapatunay na nagsisinungaling ang ilang alagad ng batas,” he said in a press statement.

“Binabasag nito ang palusot na nanlaban, na kadalasang ginagamit ng mga otoridad para di managot sa mga pagpatay,” he added.

He also lauded Caloocan Regional Trial Court Judge Rodolfo Azufena Jr. for his courage to stand for the truth.

Pangilinan challenged the PNP to intensify its efforts of cleansing its ranks and probe those who go astray.

He added the decision is a warning to those still pushing for extrajudicial killings.

‘Light in the darkness’

Senator Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, said the court decision is a light in the darkness.

“Despite the gruesome climate of killing and impunity in the country, this verdict sends the message that there is hope and justice. And we will fight for more light and truth until the darkenss cannot overcome them,” Hontiveros said in a separate press statement.

Just like Pangilinan, Hontiveros said she believes the court's decision proves that EJKs under President Rodrigo Duterte are real and committed no less by rogue elements in the police force.

“The President cannot wash his hands off these killings any longer, and his apologists cannot play deaf, dumb and blind in the President's defense. Through his words and endless provocation, President Duterte set into motion the killing of thousands. He has smeared the image of the police force. He incited this culture of killing and impunity. He can no longer deny responsibility for inflicting death and violence while he has clearly and repeatedly encouraged them,” she said.

The senator urged other victims of EJKs to come out and seek justice no matter how slow and painful the process is.

She also called on the honest men and women of the PNP to help stop the climate of killings in the country.

“I know many of you are honorable and patriotic. I know many of you have worked hard to professionalize the police force. And I know many of you are hurting from the actions of a few corrupt and abusive within your ranks. Let us stop this madness. Let Kian be the last name we will see in the list of EJKs under the Duterte administration,” she said. 

For her part, Senator Grace Poe said: “This is a compelling verdict because it tells us that justice is on hand, not just for the young Kian de los Santos, but for the other dubious deaths linked to the drug war.”

“The case should be followed through until a just conclusion. Hopefully, this would create a momentum that could help stem the tide of unexplained killings in the country,” she added.

‘Oasis for justice seekers’

Detained Senator Leila de Lima said the guilty verdict against the three police officers provides another oasis for justice seekers in an otherwise wasteland of human wrongs.

“For the thousands of families of victims of EJKs and other crimes of impunity under the current administration, this is a most welcome respite, and a much needed boost for all human rights defenders to carry on the fight for truth and accountability,” De Lima said in a press statement.

She also called for the immediate creation of an independent commission to investigate the role of police officers in the “drug war” killings.

“The findings of the court in Kian’s case, the various reports on the killings, and the documentation of eyewitness accounts, all reasonably point to police complicity that should entail an independent in-depth investigation. That probe or inquiry should be completely independent from the PNP, PDEA, and the Office of the President,” she said.

Senator Joel Villanueva said the issue on extrajudicial killings should not end with a single conviction.

“We reiterate our call to re-evaluate war on drugs by providing alternatives to address this problem. We can win this without bloodshed and losing the lives of innocent individuals,” he said.

Majority Leader Juan Miguel Zubiri said the court decision showed that although the government has strong campaign against illegal drugs, it will not tolerate abuses.

“We welcome na hinatulan sila ng guilty verdict. Although we are strong in the anti-drug campaign, we will not tolerate police who will abuse the law. ‘Yan ang kinatatakutan namin na baka naman may mga pulis o intel officer na mag step out of bounds when it comes to the rule of law,” he said. — RSJ, GMA News