Philippine Supreme Court Upholds Conviction of Policemen in Teen’s Murder

The Philippine Supreme Court has affirmed the murder convictions of three police officers involved in the tragic killing of a teenage boy during the controversial war on drugs initiated by former President Rodrigo Duterte in 2017. This landmark ruling has been viewed as a significant development in reinforcing the integrity of the nation’s justice system.

Details of the Case

In a ruling released on Monday, the Supreme Court found Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda, and Jerwin Cruz guilty of the murder of 17-year-old high school student Kian delos Santos, which occurred during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan, Metro Manila.

Each officer has been sentenced to 40 years in prison and is required to compensate the grieving family of the victim, amounting to 275,000 pesos (approximately US$4,700).

This decision upholds previous judgments by a regional trial court and the Court of Appeals, which had initially convicted the policemen without the possibility of parole despite several appeals made by the defendants. The policemen were first found guilty in 2018, just a year after delos Santos’ death.

Reactions to the Verdict

Risa Hontiveros, an opposition senator who spearheaded Senate inquiries into the murder of Kian delos Santos in 2017, expressed her support for the Supreme Court’s ruling. She labeled this decision as a positive step toward accountability in law enforcement.

Conclusion

The upholding of the murder convictions against three policemen marks a critical moment for the Philippine judicial system, underlining its role in delivering justice even amidst challenging circumstances. As the nation reflects on this case, it highlights the ongoing struggle for accountability in law enforcement amid the war on drugs.