MANILA, Philippines — Straight from Naga City, Camarines Sur, Vice President Leni Robredo on Sunday went to Caloocan City to visit the wake of a 17-year-old boy killed in a police operation earlier this week.
Robredo reportedly went to the wake of Kian Delos Santos at around 6:15 a.m.
She also visited the crime scene CCTV footage suggests he was killed by police officers.
She refused to grant interviews, however.
The vice president expressed her condolences to Saldy and Lorenza, Kian's parents.
Kian’s mother is an overseas Filipino worker based in Saudi Arabia.
Robredo offered free legal assistance to the Delos Santos family. The Office of the Vice President will provide legal aid through non-government human rights organization Free Legal Assistance Group.
A radio report from dzMM said Robredo visited Kian’s wake with FLAG lawyer Jose Manuel “Chel Diokno, who is willing to serve as Delos Santos family’s legal counsel.
Aside from Robredo, Sen. Risa Hontiveros and Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan also visited Kian’s funeral.
Kian’s death became controversial as he was among the casualties of the “One Time, Big Time” operations in Barangay 160 in Caloocan City.
Caloocan police presents “witness” that will prove Delos Santos was indeed into illegal drug trade | via @reygalupo
— Philstar.com (@PhilstarNews) August 20, 2017
Police said Kian ran away and shot it out with officers from Police Community Precinct 7 along Block 7 Riverside in Barangay Baesa at around 8:45 p.m. of Wednesday.
However, local media reported that security camera footage shows the boy being dragged by policemen to the place where he was killed.
Witnesses have also surfaced to claim Kian was brutally arrested and blindfolded.
Caloocan police claim to have a witness who will prove Kian was involved in the illegal drug trade —Rosette Adel