22 August 2017•Update: 22 August 2017
By Hader Glang
ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines
President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday evening said punishment would be meted out against policemen behind the murder of a boy during an anti-drug operation in Metro Manila if they're found guilty.
"I agree that there should be an investigation. If there is liability, they will go to jail," he told reporters in a press conference in Malacañang, according to GMA News.
“No cooking things up because I really don’t interfere,” he added.
Kian Lloyd delos Santos, 17, was shot dead on the night of Aug. 17 by the police who claimed the minor had fired on them when he saw them coming and that the minor had been a drug runner or courier.
Duterte said he was able to view the CCTV tapes that led to the death of the teenager.
The boy's death has fueled public outrage, denouncing the president's bloody war on drugs which has already killed thousands of drug suspects since June 30, 2016.
Duterte said that he refrained from commenting on the issue during the past few days since Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguire II already ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the case.
The President also said that they would abide by the result of the NBI’s investigation.
“Whatever the recommendation the NBI will make, will be our take. If they say that they will have to be imprisoned, then that will happen. Sorry. You’ll have to face the consequence,” he said.
The president has repeatedly maintained that he would protect policemen if they kill people during operations.
But when asked by reporters during the press conference in Malaçañang late Monday night "if he will pardon the cops if they are convicted in the Delos Santos case?," he replied: "No, I saw the evidence."
He added, "The one already arrested then you shoot that's another thing... it will be murder or homicide."
Duterte reiterated that he did not order the police to kill drug suspects but said that he believes that some deaths brought about by the drug war are the results of police abuse.
The President also said he would not go to delos Santos' wake because it would be "pregnant with so many suppositions."
His interest piqued at the demonstrations that have sprung up in the wake of the minor's killing. "Uprising, go ahead," Duterte repeatedly said.
The past week saw the bloodiest days in the drug war, with at least 81 people dead in various areas in Metro Manila. Among those killed in the overnight drug sweep is delos Santos who was unlisted in any drug watch lists.
