Aguirre: Kian case overblown, any war has collateral damage

Lian Buan

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Aguirre: Kian case overblown, any war has collateral damage

JOSEPH VIDAL

'Isa lang siya sa thousands na pang-aabuso ng pulis kung talagang may pang-aabuso,' says Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on the killing of Kian delos Santos

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II on Wednesday, August 23, said the case of slain 17-year-old Kian delos Santos was overblown and that the government’s war on drugs, as in any war, is expected to have collateral damage.

“Blown out of proportion in the media [ito] kaya akala mo napakalaki na. Isa lang siya sa thousands na pang-aabuso ng pulis kung talagang may pang-aabuso,” Aguirre said during the budget hearing of the Department of Justice (DOJ) at the House of Representatives.

(This has been blown out of proportion by the media, that’s why you think it’s such a big issue. He’s only one of the many thousands abused by the police if indeed there was abuse.)

Aguirre would later say in the hearing that Delos Santos’ case is isolated because, according to him, it is the only case where it is clear that the killing was intentional. (READ: ‘Nakaluhod tapos nasubsob’: How Kian was shot, according to PAO)

Aguirre added that any war would have collateral damage. (READ: How Kian delos Santos was killed, according to police)

“Kapag giyera, hindi mo maiiwasan ang collateral damage (Any war has collateral damage). And I’m sorry to say, that could be an adult or a child,” he said.

The justice secretary went on to criticize the groups which have condemned Delos Santos’ killing, hitting them for blaming President Rodrigo Duterte.

“Kapag ang krimen ay kaya ninyong ilapit sa Pangulo, do’n lang kayo nag-iingay (When you can link the President to the crime, that’s the only time when you create noise),” Aguirre said. (READ: Aguirre: ‘Passionate’ Caloocan prosecutor free to express himself)

The questioning of House members got intense when it was the turn of leftist lawmakers – Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago and ACT Teachers Representative Antonio Tinio.

In the course of Elago’s questioning on the DOJ’s actions so far on extrajudicial killings linked to the war on drugs, Aguirre went on the offensive.

“Bakit hindi kayo nagalit sa minassacre sa Bulacan? … Masyadong partial ang ilang grupo. Para sa kanila, masyadong masama si Pangulong Duterte,” the justice chief said.

(Why are you not angry over the massacre in Bulacan? Some groups are so partial. For them, President Duterte is so evil.)

Elago said Aguirre’s statements worried her, which only riled up Aguirre even more.

“Nag-express ba kayo ng righteous indignation against drug addicts? Wala (Did you express righteous indignation against drug addicts? No),” the justice chief said.

At that point, Tinio spoke and said he felt alluded to by Aguirre’s statements, as he is among the activists seeking justice for Delos Santos. (READ: Kian delos Santos tests negative for gunpowder)

Tinio said: Kaya walang nag-rally sa massacre sa Bulacan kasi may tiwala kami sa gobyerno na bigyan sila ng hustisya. Kay Kian, ang pumaslang sa kanya ay mga pulis na pinagkakatiwalaan.”

(No one rallied against the massacre in Bulacan because we trust that the government will ensure that justice is served. In Kian’s case, the ones who killed him are cops who we are supposed to have trust in.)

Tinio added: “Iniuugnay ‘nyo kami sa dilawan. Huwag po. Idikit ‘nyo po ako sa pulahan, hindi sa dilawan.” (You are associating me with the yellows. Don’t do that. Link me to the reds, not to the yellows.)

Tinio also raised his voice to ask Aguirre: “Tinatanong ‘nyo kami ano ang ginawa namin? Kayo, ano ang ginawa ninyo, kayo ang law enforcement [official]?” (You’re asking us what we’ve done? You, what have you done, you’re the law enforcement official?)

Tinio had to be asked to cut his questioning for orderly procedure.

When things calmed down, Albay 1st District Representative Edcel Lagman told Aguirre, “It is not right that you come here asking for budget but you castigate House members who ask valid questions.”

The proposed P17.2-billion budget of the DOJ and its attached agencies for 2018 eventually passed the level of the House appropriations committee on Wednesday. – Rappler.com

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Lian Buan

Lian Buan is a senior investigative reporter, and minder of Rappler's justice, human rights and crime cluster.