By: Aaron Recuenco
The Philippine National Police (PNP) denied yesterday that they tried to forcibly take the minor witness in the case of Kian Lloyd delos Santos from the custody of a bishop based in Caloocan City.
Director Roel Obusan, head of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group CIDG), also clarified that there was no tension that occurred when they accompanied the father to a Catholic church where his children have been staying.
“There was no such thing that happened. We are just helping the father to get the children,” said Obusan.
The minor has been in the custody of Caloocan City Bishop Pablo Virgilio David, along with two adult witnesses.
The two siblings of the minor also sought refuge from Bishop David. Their father, on the other hand, was then in the custody of the CIDG.
Obusan said their assistance was sought by the father to get his children from the Church. It was then that CIDG operatives, accompanied by representatives from the Public Attorney’s Office and the Volunteers Against Crime and Corruption, went to the Caloocan Church on Saturday.
In the beginning, Obusan said the father was determined to get the children but his decision changed when they were allowed to talk to one another.
“When they talked, they decided to stay there and it all ended well,” said Obusan.
The father, he said, decided to stay with his children under the custody of the Bishop David.
Obusan said they respected the decision of the father, noting that it is the right thing to do on the part of the police.
“I have to abide by the wishes of the family. The basic is that the family is the foremost in the protection of the government,” said Obusan.