Duterte on cops in Kian’s killing: If there is liability, they will go to jail

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday said he is in favor of investigating the death of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos, who was killed by police during anti-drug operations in Caloocan City.

He promised that the cops behind the death of the teenager would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

"I saw the tape or tapes doon sa TV and I agree that there should be an investigation. Should the investigation point to liabilities by one, two, or all, there will be a prosecution and they have to go to jail if convicted. That I can assure you. That there will be no luto-luto diyan sa ano because I really do not interfere," he told reporters in a press conference in Malacañang.

"Nung nakita ko yung tape tinawagan ko si [Philippine National Police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa]. Sabi ko hulihin ninyo na at ikulong ninyo," he said later in his address.

Duterte was referring to CCTV footage that seems to show police officers carrying Kian to the place where he was later found.

When asked if he will pardon the cops if they are convicted in the Delos Santos case, he replied: "No, I saw the evidence."

Duterte has previously maintained that he would not let cops go to jail if they are charged in connection to their operations.

But he said the Delos Santos case was different. "Yung arestado na, barilin mo, that's another thing... it will be murder or homicide," he said.

The President also said he would not go to Kian's wake because it would be "pregnant with so many suppositions." The public could take it as an admission of fault, that would put "much pressure on the police."

"I cannot do that. I cannot do that because the organization sa PNP is under me. I would be the last person to condemn them without a valid investigation," he said.

Police claimed that Kian had shot at them, and later produced a drug suspect who said that Kian had been a drug runner.

The teenager's family has denied the allegations.

DOJ probe

Duterte added that he would not interfere with the Department of Justice's investigation. "Ang presidente, hindi puwedeng makialam diyan," he said.

"That could be an obstruction of justice, and you could be impeached. Impeachable offense 'yan."

Duterte has previously repeatedly maintained that he would "protect" cops if they kill people during operations.

'Himagsikan'

Duterte also showed he was piqued at the demonstrations that have sprung up in the wake of Kian's killing. "Uprising, go ahead," he repeatedly said.

Consistent to his previous statements, the President also said he couldn't care less about losing the public's trust because he would not hold on to the position anyway.

"I encourage you to do it. At lahat ng Pilipino na naniwala diyan sa kabila, then you participate in the rally. And I assure you, I will even send trucks there for your transportation," he said.

"Go ahead. I am waiting for that actually. So that there will be a change of President and everything. And perhaps the new generation will come up with something that is—a government that is really working," he added. — BM/JST/BAP, GMA News