MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) Internal Affairs Service (IAS) announced on Monday, September 4, that they have found serious irregularities in the drug raid that killed 17-year-old Kian delos Santos. They have found probable cause to press charges.

Talking to reporters in an ambush interview, PNP-IAS chief Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo said they are planning to file 3 administrative cases against cops involved in the killing of Delos Santos:

1. Grave misconduct – Illegal arrest and killing of Delos Santos
2. Violation of police operational procedure – Lack of uniform and documents to push through with the raid
3. Command responsibility and serious neglect of duty – For supervisors who share in responsibility for their team’s neglect

They will file the first two cases against 15 cops from the Caloocan City Police Community Precinct 7 (PCP-7), and the third case against the concerned superiors: PCP-7 Station Commander Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo and former Caloocan City police chief Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna. For now, however, Bersaluna’s case will be on hold, pending clearance from the President.

Triambulo explained that a National Police Commission (Napolcom) memorandum circular says presidential appointees cannot be tried without clearance from the President himself.

“Tulad nung Senior Superintendent, tulad ng ranggo ng chief of police, kailangan po muna ng clearance bago po sampahan ng kaso para i-subject ng summary dismissal proceeding ang kanyang kaso,” Triambulo said. (Just like the Senior Superintendent position, like the chief of police rank, we first need clearance before we can file cases for him to be subjected to a summary dismissal proceeding.)

Given this, all the cops – save for Bersaluna – will undergo summary dismissal proceedings, ending with a recommendation to PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa what to do with them. The worst case is permanent relief. They are given a chance to submit a position paper to defend themselves.

The PNP Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) investigation complements the IAS investigation, as it can result in the filing of criminal charges.

Meanwhile, the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) have both already concluded that cops murdered Delos Santos. The boy, according to them, was defenseless when he was killed, and the NBI claimed that cops planted evidence.

The Senate had also begun its probe into the schoolboy’s case, with legislators grilling cops and witnesses involved in Delos Santos’ killing. The second session is on Tuesday, September 5. – Rappler.com