A Shocking Verdict Makes Headlines in the Philippines
The Caloocan City regional trial court just handed down a staggering sentence: three police officers are now facing up to 40 years behind bars for the murder of a 17‑year‑old high school student, Kian Lloyd delos Santos.
Why This Case Rocks the System
- It’s the first conviction reported in President Rodrigo Duterte’s infamous drugs war.
- It follows a brutal August 2017 incident in a trash‑filled alley in northern Manila.
- Human‑rights groups have long called such killings extrajudicial — a silent betrayal by the very forces meant to protect us.
Judge Roldolfo Azucena’s Verdict
“A shoot‑first, think‑later attitude can never be counted on in a civilized society,” Judge Azucena warned. “Murder rarely comes hand‑in‑glove with law enforcement, and the peace we cherish should never come at the cost of human life.”
Police Push the “Self‑Defence” Narrative
Police officials, led by spokesman Benigno Durana, insist these officers acted in self‑defence during a shootout with suspected drug peddlers. “We respect the court’s decision and will not tolerate errant officers,” Durana said, adding that the force will support those who stay within the law.
Duterte’s Response
Known for his forceful stance against illegal drugs, Duterte has repeatedly warned that police wouldn’t be jailed for violence against drug users. When the verdict sank in, his spokesperson Salvador Panelo clarified: “This is murder, there was an intention to kill. The President would never tolerate that.”
Despite this, the government maintains there was never a “policy” to kill drug users or pushers.
Activists Call for Justice to Go Further
Jose Manuel Diokno, of the Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG), declared: “Conviction is a win for justice, but it’s not enough. The killings must stop.” FLAG is already pressing the Supreme Court to scrutinize the drug war’s legality.
Family and Footage Speak Out
Delos Santos was found with a gun in his left hand. While police claimed self‑defence, his family dismissed this as a lie. Security videos show officers escorting a man resembling Delos Santos toward the spot where he was killed.
“Justice was served for my son,” Lorenza delos Santos, Kian’s mother, told reporters outside the courthouse. “We proved my son was innocent of all accusations hurled against him.”
The Takeaway
This case is a glaring reminder that no one is above the law, even the soldiers sworn to protect. The world watches as the Philippines continues to grapple with a clashing vision of law, order, and justice in its war on drugs.
