12 cops in Kian slay deny raps in DOJ

MANILA, Philippines — Twelve policemen tagged in the killing of teenager Kian Loyd delos Santos last Aug. 16 sought the dismissal of criminal charges against them.

The additional respondents appeared before the Department of Justice (DOJ) yesterday and submitted their counter-affidavit to the complaint filed by Delos Santos’ parents.

Police Officers 2 Arnel Canezares, Diony Corpuz and Fernan Cano and PO1s Reynaldo Dan Blanco Jr., Silverio Garcia Jr., Ronald Herrera, Myrldon Yagi, Christian Joy Aguilar, Ceferino Paculan, J-Rossillini Lorenzo, Erwin Romeroso and Ferdinand Claro – all removed from the Calooocan police – denied the charges and argued that they could not be held liable for Kian’s death.

“They were not present so apparently they shouldn’t be included in the case because they don’t have any participation. Some were on sick leave while some were assigned in other cases,” explained their lawyer Oliver Yuan after the hearing.

They are facing charges of murder, torture, planting of evidence and violation of domicile under Article 128 of the Revised Penal Code.

In their amended complaint, Saldy and Lorenza delos Santos asked the DOJ to indict the additional respondents in court.

The complainants, represented by Public Attorneys Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta, stressed that the additional respondents were part of the police team that conducted the anti-illegal drugs operation wherein Kian was killed.

The initial complaint named only four policemen as respondents – Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo, Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares, and Police Officers 1 Jeremiah Pereda and Jerwin Cruz of the Caloocan Police Community Precinct 7.