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SC ruling on Kian delos Santos underscores need for Independent Truth Commission—Palace

Philippines | National

SC ruling on Kian delos Santos underscores need for Independent Truth Commission—Palace

By Betheena Unite

PCO Secretary Dave Gomez (Photo courtesy of PPA)

PCO Secretary Dave Gomez (Photo courtesy of PPA)

Malacañang said the Supreme Court's ruling that affirmed the conviction of three police officers for the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan in 2017 calls for the formation of an Independent Truth Commission.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Secretary Dave Gomez said the development underscores the need to consider the formation of the commission to investigate "more deeply" the cases of extra judicial killings.

He also said they will also need to review the Supreme Court's decision.

"We still need to review the Supreme Court decision. This development underscores the need to consider the proposal from the church, civil society, and some members of Congress for an independent Truth Commission to probe more deeply into these extra judicial killings," Gomez said Tuesday, Dec. 23 when sought for a statement on the court's ruling.

In a 40-page decision made public on Dec. 22, the Supreme Court's Second Division found police officers Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda, and Jerwin Cruz guilty of murder and sentenced them to up to 40 years in prison, and ordered them to pay the teen’s family P275,000 in damages.

Related Tags

Dave Gomez Kian delos Santos extra judicial killings

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