MANILA - Police on Thursday said they "confirmed" that Kian Loyd delos Santos was a drug suspect based on social media posts and the testimony of another drug suspect.

Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna, relieved Caloocan police chief, told senators that alias "Nono," a drug suspect, told them about delos Santos' alleged involvement in illegal drugs only after the latter was killed last August 16.

Nono was arrested the day after delos Santos' death.

• 'Katransaksyon sa droga' ni Kian, inilabas ng PNP

Asked how they were able to confirm Nono's testimony, he said: "We also based some doon sa mga ano, sir, lumalabas na mga ano doon sa mga social media na meron ding nagsasabi.' Yun lang po ang basis natin, sir."

Senator Manny Pacquiao who was questioning Bersaluna said he could not accept the police's basis on saying Delos Santos is a drug runner is just social media.

Bersaluna said they also got the 11th grader's phone that contains transactions on illegal drugs.

Police also said they did not bring "Nono" to Kian's wake because emotions were running high.

Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares and Police Officers 1 Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz - who have been identified as having participated in the operation against delos Santos - refused to say who shot Kian.

Delos Santos, a Grade 11 student, was killed in an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City on Aug. 16, with police alleging that he shot at pursuing officers, prompting them to fire back.

CCTV footage and a witness' account, however, have cast doubt on the officers' version of the events.

Surveillance footage showed 2 officers dragging Delos Santos to the spot where the boy was killed. A witness also alleged that the police beat up the victim, gave him a gun by force, and told Delos Santos to run for his life.