By: Jeffrey G. Damicog
The Department of Justice (DoJ) is set to conduct the preliminary probe on the criminal complaints filed against policemen involved in the death of Grade 11 student Kian Loyd delos Santos.
Justice Undersecretary Erickson Balmes said the prosecutors will begin conducting their preliminary investigation on September 12 and 19. The panel of prosecutors is composed of Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Tofel Austria as head, and Assistant State Prosecutor Amanda Garcia, and Associate Prosecution Attorney Moises Acayan.
Acting Prosecutor General Severino Gana Jr. appointed the three prosecutors after Kian’s parents, Saldy and Lorenza, filed on August 25 criminal complaints before the DoJ against the policemen.
Named respondents were Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo, the relieved commander of Caloocan City Police Community Precinct 7; PO3 Arnel Oares; PO1 Jerwin Cruz; and PO1 Jeremias Pereda.
The four respondents have been accused of committing murder and torturing a minor resulting in death.
Last August 31, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) also filed criminal complaints against the said policemen before the DoJ after investigation findings concluded that the 17-year-old student was murdered.
Aside from murder, the NBI accused the four policemen of violating domicile and planting of evidence.
