Hundreds protest Kian's killing under rain

Despite inclement weather, various groups on Monday night gathered at the iconic People Power Monument on EDSA to express outrage and call for justice for the killing of 17-year-old Kian Loyd Delos Santos by policemen during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City last week.

A report by GMA News' Ian Cruz on State of the Nation with Jessica Soho said the protesters were also calling for an end to the Duterte administration's bloody war on illegal drugs and to hold those responsible for extrajudicial killings accountable.

It said Metro Manila Development Authority estimated the number of rallyists to be around 500 although organizers said the number could reach over 1,000.

Among the personalities seen in the rally were Senator Bam Aquino, former Bayan Muna party-list Representative Teddy Casiño, and former Education secretary and current La Salle president Bro. Armin Luistro.

"Ang malinaw dito is si Kian Delos Santos ay hindi collateral damage, hindi lang ito isolated incident. Sa katunayan, si Kian ang mismong target ng war on drugs. Ang mahihirap na katulad niya ang siyang tina-target ng war on drugs ni [President Rodrigo] Duterte," Casiño said.

For his part, Luistro said: "Kapag ang ating kabataan ay binabaril, pinapatay nang walang kalaban-laban, palagay ko wala tayong masasabing kinabukasan natin." 

At about 8:20, the time of Delos Santos' death on August 16, the rallyists observed a moment of silence followed by a noise barrage.

The report said the program is expected to last until 10 p.m. —KBK, GMA News