QUEZON City, Philippines (Eagle News) – The Department of Justice (DOJ) has dismissed the motion for Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre to inhibit from the investigation into Kian De Los Santos’ killing.
Aguirre explained that the motion filed by student leaders was dismissed because it was the National Prosecution Service that has jurisdiction over the preliminary investigation of the case, and not the Office of the Secretary.
“The Department of Justice by virtue of Secretary’s public pronouncements has lost its impartiality to conduct the preliminary investigation. The (DOJ’s) involvement would compromise the procedure and would deny Delos Santos due process,” the motion the student leaders filed read.
They said Aguirre had also “prejudged the Delos Santos murder-torture case by showing support to police operations conducted under the campaign against illegal drugs.”