QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – Presidential Spokesman Ernesto Abella said that Malacanang is seriously looking into the death of Kian delos Santos, and does not share the opinion of Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II.
Kian was killed during the anti-illegal drugs operation conducted by the police in Caloocan City on August 16.
Aguirre said Kian’s death was “blown out of proportion” in the media.
“That is the opinion of Secretary Aguirre. But from the Palace’s point of view this is a serious matter and we have given it the kind of due attention,” Abella said.
“But on the other hand, it is also wise to make sure that everything continually is in perspective,” he continued.
Abella also said that President Rodrigo Duterte himself had ordered an investigation into the matter.
President Duterte himself also said on Wednesday that policemen should not kill a person begging for his life.
He stressed that this was not part of proper police operation, and not part of his order to destroy the drug apparatus.
“I’m not justifying ‘yung sa Caloocan, it was really bad. Hindi naman performance of duty ‘yung ganoon (That was not in the performance of duty),” Duterte said.
“What I reminded again the military and the police is that it [drug operations] should be in the performance of duty. That you are not allowed (to kill) a person who is kneeling down, begging for his life. That is murder,” he said.
Aguirre was quoted as saying that Kian’s death was “blown out of proportion,” and that he was just among the “thousands” of reported police abuses.
“Blown out of proportion in the media [ito] kaya akala mo napakalaki na. Isa lang siya sa thousands na pang-aabuso ng pulis kung talagang may-pang aabuso,” Aguirre said on Wednesday.