By JEL SANTOS & KATE LOUISE B. JAVIER
Caloocan police presented Sunday midnight a suspected drug peddler who had allegedly received drugs from slain Kian Delos Santos several times in a span of about three months.
Kian, 17, was killed by policemen during an anti-illegal drugs operation in Barangay 160, Caloocan Wednesday.
The police claimed Kian, a Grade 11 student, was a drug runner killed after he allegedly resisted arrest. But Barangay 160 officials said Kian was not included in their drug watchlist.
Many witnesses claimed that they saw Kian being slapped and punched by armed cops who were not wearing uniforms. They also said that they heard the Grade 11 student pleaded: “Tama na po! Taman na po! May test pa ako bukas.”
Renato “Nono” Loveras, according to police, was a drug suspect they arrested a day after Kian was killed. He allegedly told them that Kian was a “drug runner.”
In earlier statements, Caloocan police said Kian was targeted after he was tagged by an asset.
But in the first spot report the Caloocan police released, they said that Kian was an “unidentified man” they just encountered, meaning he was not the target.
The witness presented by the police said that a certain “Neneng” was the one ordering Kian to deliver drugs to him.
“Kay Neneng po ako kumukuha ng droga. Si Kian lang po ang nag-aabot sa akin,” Loveras said.
“Mga nasa anim na beses po ako kadalinggo nakakakuha ng droga mula kay Neneng… Pero hindi po si Kian ang laging nagdadala,” he added. “May iba pa pong inuutusan.”
Loveras said that he gives Kian money after receiving the illegal drugs.
However, he said that he can’t recall how many times Kian delivered “drugs” to him.
Police admitted that they are still clueless about the whereabouts of “Neneng.”
WHY ONLY NOW?
The grieving Delos Santos family questioned why only now the cops present the witness.
“Bakit ngayon lang po nila nilabas ‘yang witness kuno nila? Matagal na ‘yang nahuli, ‘di ba?” Randy Delos Santos, uncle of Kian, said.
Some residents in Barangay 160, when interviewed, said they did not know a woman named “Neneng”.
Lorenza Delos Santos, 43, said that the people in their area will attest that they are simple individuals living an honest life.
“Hindi po magagawa ng anak ko ‘yun. Kahit huwag na po sa akin manggaling, kahit sa mga kapitbahay para malaman nila ang totoo,” she said.
SCARED OF ADDICTS
The mother of Kian said her son was scared of “drug addicts” that’s why he wants to become a cop.
Shane, a neighbor of the student, said that Kian usually takes certain routes, because there are streets in their area that are being used as drug dens.
“He said that he wants to become a policeman. One day, he wants to arrest them all. He doesn’t like drug addicts,” the neighbor and friend of Kian said in Filipino. “Takot po ‘yan dumaan kung saan may addict,” Lorenza said.
“I am working very hard for them that’s why they are all in school,” she added.
JUSTICE FOR KIAN
Young neighbors and friends of Kian were posting printed papers with the photo of Kian, saying :”JUSTICE FOR KIAN” on electric posts and walls in Barangay 160.
They said that they want justice for their friend Kian, they described as very “kind and cheerful.”
Yesterday, Vice Presidnet Maria Leonor “Leni” Robredo went to the wake of Kian at about 6 a.m. She promised to help the family.
COP CHIEF RELIEVED
Meanwhile, Senior Supt. Chito Bersaluna was relieved as Caloocan City Police chief Saturday night to pave way for an impartial probe on the death of Kian.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Oscar Albayalde said Bersaluna will be temporarily moved to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit as the Regional Internal Affairs Service (RIAS) starts their investigation.
“This administrative relief was ordered to give way for a fair investigation in Caloocan City,” Albayalde said in a radio interview.
In a phone interview, Bersaluna said that he accepted the relief order of Albayalde.
“I accept any instructions or directives from my boss or higher headquarters,” Bersaluna said.
Last Friday, Albayalde relieved four policemen who accosted Kian – Police Chief Insp. Amor Cerillo, PCP-7 commander, PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremiah Pereda, and PO1 Jerwin Cruz. They were also moved to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit while the investigation is ongoing.
Albayalde assured that they will help the family of Kian Delos Santos if they want to file a case.
“If the parents of the teenager want to file a case, we will help them. We will meet them on Monday,” Albayalde said.