The three witnesses to the alleged murder of Kian Delos
Santos in the Caloocan City anti-drug operations last Aug. 16 are now under
Senate custody, Senator Risa Hontiveros said yesterday.
Two of the witnesses are minors. Prior to the turn over to
the Senate, Hontiveros along with the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP)
National Chapter for Legal Aid and Caloocan Bishop Ambo David took custody of
the three witnesses, the third witness is 31 years old, the two minors are aged
13 and 16.
“Chairman Lacson also extended the sanctuary of the Senate
using his Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs,” Hontiveros
told reporters in a press conference after the hearing into Kian’s slay.
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| “Ako lamang ay nagugulat sa biglang pangyayari. Mukhang may mga pwersang gumagalaw para kunin ang mga testigo, i-undermine ang kaso at limitahan ang accountability sa panig lamang ng mga pulis,” Hontiveros said during yesterday prior to the conduct of the Senate hearing re the death of Kian Delos Santos (photo credit to the owner) |
Hontiveros said that her office has “full coordination”
with Lacson as well as Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III.
Hontiveros requested for an executive session to listen to
the testimonies of the minor witnesses, but was opted to be delayed in another
time pending an authorization letter
from one of the witnesses’ mother who is an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) in
Oman.
“Minabuti ni Chairman Lacson na bago sila idinig sa
executive session ay makuha ang authorization in writing mula sa Nanay (ng isa
sa mga testigo),” she said.
She added her office has also kept in touch with the
witnesses’ parents via text message.
Witnesses may be brainwashed
During the Senate hearing yesterday, Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II insisted
that the witnesses should be placed under the government’s witness protection
program (WPP) which is under the Department of Justice, as they could easily be
“brainwashed” under Opposition senator Hontiveros’ custody.
The senator,
fired back at the Secretary of Justice, saying that it was up to the witnesses
and their respective families to decide who to secure them.
During the
Senate hearing it was the first time , Kian’s parents Saldy and Lorenzana Delos
Santos, came face to face with the three police officers accused of killing
their son namely; PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda and PO1 Jerwin Cruz.
One of three question’s asked by the senators’ was “ Who
killed Kian Delos Santos?” the three policemen refused to answer and instead
invoked their right against self incrimination.
Reports from pna.gov.ph
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