Duterte ‘fortunate’ to get due process – Kian delos Santos’ kin

Former president Rodrigo R. Duterte. (Photo: Senate of the Philippines/Facebook)

By Filane Mikee Cervantes, Philippine News Agency

MANILA – The uncle of a 17-year-old teenager killed during former president Rodrigo Duterte’s drug war said Tuesday that Duterte is “fortunate” to receive due process following his arrest on a warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Randy delos Santos, whose nephew Kian delos Santos was shot dead in an August 2017 police operation in Caloocan City, said the former president is getting the legal rights that many victims of his drug war never had.

“Mapalad ang ating [dating] pangulo dahil nabigyan siya ng pagkakataon na ipagtanggol ang kanyang sarili (Our former president is fortunate because he is given the chance to defend himself),” Randy told reporters.

Duterte is facing crimes against humanity before the ICC for his bloody war on drugs.

Kian’s killing was one of the most high-profile cases linked to the previous administration’s anti-drug campaign.

Security footage contradicted police claims that the teenager had resisted arrest, as officers were seen dragging him into an alley moments before he was shot.

A court later convicted three policemen of murder for Kian’s death.

Randy said his nephew was never given the opportunity to prove his innocence.

“Ang aking pamangkin ay hindi na dinala sa korte. Ang daming akusasyon na ibinato. Tapos pinatay (My nephew was never brought to court. Many accusations were thrown. Then he was killed),” he said.

Randy said Duterte’s arrest is a long-awaited step toward justice.

“Hinintay ito ng pamilya. Hindi lang ito para sa amin, para rin ito sa mga pamilya na naging biktima (The family waited for this. This is not just for us, it’s also for the families who became victims),” he said.