Cops on CCTV footage: Asset being dragged, not Kian

MANILA, Philippines — Attempting to deny witnesses' testimonies and a security footage, three policemen facing murder charges for the killing of Grade 11 student Kian delos Santos on Thursday claimed that the victim was not the one they were holding in the video.

PO1 Jerwin Cruz told the Senate committee on public order and drugs that the person they were dragging in the video footage was their informant and not Delos Santos.

"Your honor, kami po 'yung nasa CCTV pero 'yung sinasabi pong si Kian hindi po si Kian 'yun. 'Yun po ay aming asset, alpha po namin 'yun," Cruz told the Senate panel.

Cruz, one of the suspects in the Delos Santos slay case, said this under oath.

A few days ago, two of the three policemen involved in the case admitted that it was 17-year-old student that they were dragging along an alley.

RELATED: Kian’s alleged drug activities 'validated' through social media posts

Cruz further claimed that they were dragging their supposed asset so as to protect him as he was about to expose an alias "Negro."

"Kasi po 'yung alpha po namin ayaw niya pong masunog, ayaw niya po makilala dun na may kasama siyang pulis na ituturo," Cruz said.

Meanwhile, PO1 Jeremmas Pereda said that he does not remember what their informant wore during that night as it was dark.

Pereda was also unable to confirm whether they saw Delos Santos holding a gun but claimed that the victim shot at them.

"Alam po namin na baril 'yun, Sir, dahil po malakas yung pagkakaputok. Nakita na rin namin dahil may kapirasong ilaw doon, Sir," Pereda said.

Asked who among them shot at Delos Santos, both Cruz and Pereda invoked their right against self-incrimination.

RELATED: Kian shot in the back, head; cops face murder raps