MANILA- The Department of Justice (DOJ) has designated a 3-member panel of prosecutors to handle the preliminary investigation into the Kian Delos Santos slay case.

Officer-in-Charge Prosecutor General Severino Gaña, Jr. assigned the murder and torture case filed by Kian’s parents, Saldy and Lorenza delos Santos, to the following:

-Senior Assistant State Prosecutor Tofel G. Austria;
-Assistant State Prosecutor Amanda L. Garcia; and
-Associate Prosecution Attorney Moises Acayan.

The complaint is against Caloocan City police station 7 chief Chief Inspector Amor Cerillo, PO3 Arnel Oares, PO1 Jerwin Cruz, and PO1 Jeremias Pereda. Oares, Cruz, and Pereda were also charged with torture (torture of a minor leading to death). 

Several ‘John Does’ were also impleaded.

The 17-year-old teen was killed in an anti-drug operation of the police last Aug. 16.

Policemen alleged he was a drug runner, but his parents insist he was not involved in the sale and distribution of illegal drugs, and, in fact, wanted to be a policeman.

Justice Secretary Vitaliano Aguirre II assured the public the DOJ will be fair in handling the case despite allegations of bias and prejudgment hurled by several opposition lawmakers.