Caloocan court orders arrest of cops, asset in Kian’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — A branch of Caloocan Regional Trial Court on Thursday issued arrest warrant against the three cops and an asset implicated in the murder of 12th grader Kian delos Santos last August.

Caloocan RTC branch 125 found probable cause to order the arrest of PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jeremias Pereda, PO1 Jerwin Cruz and police asset Renato Loveraz alias "Nonong” after finding they were involved in framing the murder of the teenager.

The accused policemen and asset would face trial for murder and planting of evidence.

On Monday, the accused were formally charged with murder before the Caloocan RTC. The case was raffled off to Branch 125 Presiding Judge Judge Rodolfo Azucena Jr. 

The prosecution earlier recommended no bail in the murder charge against the asset and the cops.

Delos Santos was shot dead in an anti-illegal drug operation in Baesa, Caloocan last August 16 for allegedly resisting the police. He was tagged by Nonong as a drug runner.

A closed-circuit television footage, however, showed that Delos Santos was dragged by the police officers towards the Tullahan River, where he was later on found dead in a kneeling position.

Witnesses have also surfaced claiming Delos Santos did not fight back during the police operation.