/ AFP PHOTO / TED ALJIBE
(Eagle News) — President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday, August 21, assured the public of a thorough and impartial investigation into the killing of 17-year-old high school student Kian Lloyd delos Santos, saying that if policemen involved would be found guilty of doing a “rubout,” they would have to go to jail.
“Should the investigation point to liabilities by one, two, or all, there will be a prosecution and they have to go to jail if convicted. That I can assure you,” the President said adding that he will not interfere in the probe.
“There will be no luto-luto diyan sa ano because I really do not interfere,” he told reporters in Malacanang.
Speaking to reporters at the Malago Clubhouse, Malacañang Park, President Duterte said he would refrain from commenting on Kian Delos Santos’ death pending the result of the investigation of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) as instructed by the Department of Justice (DOJ).
“When the Secretary of Justice ordered the NBI to investigate, the most prudent thing for me to do is to shut up and wait for the result of the investigation,” Duterte said.
Duterte said he saw television reports about what happened to the teenager, and agreed that there should be an investigation.
He said that he also saw the alleged closed circuit television video footage (CCTV) where Kian was allegedly seen being taken by alleged policemen in civilian clothes.
“Nung nakita ko yung tape tinawagan ko si [Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa]. Sabi ko hulihin ninyo na at ikulong ninyo,” he
When asked if he will pardon the cops in this case if ever there would be found guilty of a “rubout,” Duterte said: “No, I saw the evidence.”
“Yung arestado na, barilin mo, that’s another thing… it will be murder or homicide,” he said.
Delos Santos was killed last August 16 during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City conducted by the Philippine National Police.
He clarified that his order to the authorities was to neutralize criminals who resist arrest but if the investigation would prove that there was a “rubout”, those responsible would be put behind bars.
The President also explained that he would not visit the wake of Delos Santos as this would lead to many “suppositions.”
“I would be putting so much pressure on the police… I cannot do that because the organization sa PNP is under me. I would be the last person to condemn them without a valid investigation,” he said.