Callamard on Kian’s death: This is murder

As far as United Nations Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial Executions Agnes Callamard is concerned, the death of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos in a police anti-drug operation in Caloocan City last week was murder.

“Yes, President Duterte, this is murder. All unlawful deaths must be investigated. To stop all murderers,” she tweeted, with a link to a story on President Rodrigo Duterte saying the police’s action in the Grade 12 student’s death was not in the performance of duty.

Yes, Pent Duterte, this is murder. All unlawful deaths must be investigated. To stop all murderers #Philippines https://t.co/WKKAyAE358

— Agnes Callamard (@AgnesCallamard) August 24, 2017

Callamard had locked horns with Duterte over his bloody war on illegal drugs, which is blamed for the death of over 6,000 people either in police operations or executed by suspected vigilantes.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Omar Alexander Romero told reporters after Friday's Mindanao Hour briefing that Malacañang will let the ongoing investigation on Delos Santos' death roll before deciding on the matter.

“There is an ongoing investigation, so we will have to wait for the results,” he said.

“Until there is a finding by a competent court that it is murder, then we can agree. But, we look forward to the results of the impartial investigation on this incident,” he added.

Three policemen are now facing criminal charges for Delos Santos' death. —Trisha Macas/KBK/KVD, GMA News