'A victory for justice': Senators react to murder conviction of cops in Kian slay

MANILA - The conviction of 3 policemen for the murder of teenager Kian Delos Santos is a victory for justice and those who fight for it, several senators said Thursday hours after the court handed the decision.

Police officers Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz were sentenced to reclusion perpetua, equivalent to 20 to 40 years in prison for killing Delos Santos who was allegedly resisting arrest. His family denied that the 17-year-old was a drug runner.

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"Isa itong mahalagang tagumpay para sa katarungan at sa lahat ng lumalaban para tapusin na ang kultura ng patayan sa ating bayan. This is a light in the darkness," Sen. Risa Hontiveros said in a statement.

"Despite the gruesome climate of killing and impunity in the country, this verdict sends the message that there is hope and justice. And we will fight for more light and truth until the darkenss cannot overcome them," said the lawmaker, who once visited Delos Santos' wake.

Hontiveros said the guilty verdict also showed extrajudicial killings under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration "are real, committed no less by rogue elements in the police force."

Sen. Francis Pangilinan also said: "Ngayong umaga, nagwagi ang hustisya...Isang pagpapatunay na totoo ang karahasan ng ilang miyembro ng kapulisan. Isang pagpapatunay na nagsisinungaling ang ilang alagad ng batas."

"Hindi man mababalik ng desisyon na ito si Kian, isa itong pagrespeto sa kanyang alaala. Isa itong panalo ng lahat ng nakaranas ng dahas sa ilalim ng rehimeng Duterte. Buksan na ang ating mga mata. Totoo ang mga karahasan," he said in a statement.

Sen. Bam Aquino, who also visited Delos Santos' wake, said the verdict was a victory of justice over violence.

"Tagumpay ito ng katarungan laban sa dahas. Mahalagang hakbang ito sa pagkamit ng ganap na katarungan para kay Kian at sa lahat ng inosenteng biktima ng war on drugs," he said in a statement.

But the opposition lawmakers said the fight for justice is not over, citing other casualties in the administration's anti-narcotics campaign.

"Huwag nating kalilimutan, hindi lang ang 3 pulis ang pumatay kay Kian. Pinatay siya ng isang marahas na polisiya kung saan dehado ang mga maliliit at mahihirap," said Aquino.

"Hindi ito dapat matapos dito. Dapat may magbago, dapat wakasan ang karahasan," he added.

Hontiveros also said all officials who took part in the bloody war on drugs should be held liable.

"The President cannot wash his hands of these killings any longer, and his apologists cannot play deaf, dumb and blind in the President's defense. Through his words and endless provocation, President Duterte set into motion the killing of thousands. He has smeared the image of the police force. He incited this culture of killing and impunity. He can no longer deny responsibility for inflicting death and violence while he has clearly and repeatedly encouraged them," she added.

She called on the "honest men and women of the Philippine National Police (PNP)" to help in stopping the climate of killing in the country.

"Let us stop this madness. Let Kian be the last name we will see in the list of EJKs under the Duterte administration," she said.