Kian’s family may seek state protection – DOJ

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]

[av_heading heading=’Kian’s family may seek state protection – DOJ’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=’30’ subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]

[av_textblock size=’18’ font_color=” color=”]
MANILA – The family of the Grade 11 student killed in a police drug crackdown in Caloocan City may seek inclusion to the government’s witness protection program, Justice secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II said yesterday.

“If they will apply, we are willing to consider them,” Aguirre said of the family of Kian Loyd delos Santos – a suspected drug courier – and other witnesses.

The witness protection program, or WPP, was a program established under Republic Act 6981, or the Witness Protection, Security and Benefit Act.

It seeks to encourage a person who has witnessed or has knowledge of the commission of a crime to testify before a court or quasi-judicial body, or an investigating authority by protecting them from reprisal and economic dislocation.

Admission to the WPP requires a potential witness to submit an application and execute an affidavit. Benefits include a safe house, security and allowance. Upon application, the state may already place the applicant under provisional admission.

Aguirre earlier ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate delos Santos’ death. His Department Order No. 546 directs bureau director Dante Gierran to probe, build a case and file appropriate charges against the police officers involved.

“Director Gierran shall submit a report to the Office of the Secretary of Justice on [their] action,” read part of the order dated Aug. 18.

Police shot and killed delos Santos when the latter fired at the officers out to arrest him, the police said. But the 17-year-old student’s family belied this, citing a security camera footage showing officers dragging delos Santos before shooting him.

National Capital Region Police Office director Oscar Albayalde ordered the relief of the officers involved and said they were also investigating the allegation that delos Santos was summarily killed.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa also ordered an investigation. He said the police were not in the business of killing innocent civilians, especially minors. He added that the officers involved will be punished if irregularities in the operation were proven. (PNA)
[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here