MANILA - The Department of Education on Saturday said it "strongly condemns" the killing of grade 11 student Kian Delos Santos by the Caloocan police and supported calls for an impartial probe into the incident.

In a statement dated August 19, the Deped said that while it acknowledged "efforts to battle illegal drugs," it maintained that "upholding the rule of law should not be compromised."

The agency said that it "denounces all forms of violence against our students, teachers, and personnel."

Delos Santos was killed during a police operation against illegal drugs in Caloocan on Wednesday. Police claim that the teenager died in a shootout. Winesses however, came forward claiming that Delos Santos was framed up and executed.

On Sunday, the Caloocan police presented a self-confessed drug pusher who said that Kian was a drug courier. The Delos Santos family, however, denies the accusation against Kian.