english,
On August 16, 2017, in an anti-drug operation in Caloocan, 17-year-old Kian Lloyd Delos Santos was shot and killed by police officers. The statements of witnesses and footage from a CCTV camera that conflicted with the police report have given the issue much attention.
Delos Santos, according to the officers, was suspected of being a “drug runner”, someone who is supposedly an errand boy for distributing drugs. The police report went on to say that when the police officers were approaching Delos Santos, he drew his gun and fired at the officers. This was why they fired back in “self-defense”. After they had searched the body, they allegedly found two sachets of crystal meth.
However, the officers weren’t the only ones present at the time of Kian’s death. Witnesses stated that they saw Delos Santos being dragged away by unknown men to the place where his body would eventually be found. CCTV footage supports this claim as Delos Santos can be seen being dragged away with many witnesses watching on. Other witnesses claimed that Delos Santos was forced by the men to carry a gun and run, and then after, was shot from behind. Another witness states that Delos Santos was beaten by the men before they gave him the gun and eventually shot him.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has concluded that the Caloocan policemen’s sole purpose was to kill Delos Santos. They have confirmed that his arrest was staged, proving him innocent. As such, they have filed a complaint for murder and the planting of evidence against the officers who killed the teenager.
This is proof of not only the injustice in Delos Santos’ case, but also in the very system. His death is but one of many killings. He was 17 years old when he was shot dead, a high school student. It could have been anyone, any student or any child. This is also verification of the accusations that the War on Drugs has been nothing but a War on the Poor. Those without money cannot defend themselves, and most of the time do not have the resources to file a case in court. The stigma against those who live in poverty is used as a tool by these killers to defend their actions, feigning righteousness. Even some people fall victim to the false accusations fabricated by the police, spurred on by this stigma.
The anti-drug operations were part of the promise President Duterte made in his campaign, to eradicate the distribution and use of illegal drugs in the country. This was an oath that was made for the purpose of maintaining and achieving peace in the nation. Illegal drugs was described as the gateway for criminals and would-be criminals. As the president stated in his SONA on July 24, 2017, "War on drugs will continue because it is the root of so many evils and sufferings.”
Yet, the police officers and vigilantes alike did not need the influence of illegal drugs when they mercilessly and without any accountability took other people’s lives. These acts have caused suffering for many and have opened the question of what really is the root of all evil.
It isn’t even an issue with drugs anymore. Drug abuse is wrong, undoubtedly so, and it can lead to severe consequences. Yet the problem the country is facing now is greater than what others may claim it to be. It is a crisis of the soul. When did it become the norm to accept hatred and murder? In history, wars have proven to only be the downfall of countries and have never been the solution to conflict. Death has never been a sign of progress; life and the drive for a better quality of life is what makes a nation.
When did the unjustifiable become justifiable? Planting evidence to cover up murder is an example of how far the people have strayed from honesty and righteousness. Those who have sworn to uphold and protect the law, now twist it to abuse others.
Even with their methods being under scrutiny, 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz, from Cainta, Rizal, was accused by the police of attempting to rob a taxi. A shoot-out allegedly ensued and Arnaiz was shot dead and his body was found in a morgue in Caloocan. It was claimed that he was carrying marijuana and cocaine. In the autopsy report, it was found that he was tortured before he was killed.
Fourteen-year-old Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, who was last seen with Arnaiz, was found dead in Nueva Ecija. He sustained 30 stab wounds. He was supposed to be buying midnight snacks near their house in Rizal.
What will stop these people from making the nation a war zone? What will stop these people from going to one’s homes? Must one wait for the time they trudge on one’s doorstep and hurt one’s families? Thousands have already died, and this needs to stop. One cannot sit idly by while the country is suffering.
Stand and fight for justice.
This cry is not exclusively for Kian, or Carl, or Kulot, but is also a cry for all who have suffered and are suffering from the power that has been given to unjust hands. It is one’s duty to care about what is happening around us. It is one’s duty to care for the people, to uphold what is right and protect it. Be the voice of the nation, be the person who wants this country to be better than what some people make it to be. Do not let the people down, because the people need you now. // by Hillary Fajutagana
Opinion: The Root of all Evil
On August 16, 2017, in an anti-drug operation in Caloocan, 17-year-old Kian Lloyd Delos Santos was shot and killed by police officers. The statements of witnesses and footage from a CCTV camera that conflicted with the police report have given the issue much attention.
Delos Santos, according to the officers, was suspected of being a “drug runner”, someone who is supposedly an errand boy for distributing drugs. The police report went on to say that when the police officers were approaching Delos Santos, he drew his gun and fired at the officers. This was why they fired back in “self-defense”. After they had searched the body, they allegedly found two sachets of crystal meth.
However, the officers weren’t the only ones present at the time of Kian’s death. Witnesses stated that they saw Delos Santos being dragged away by unknown men to the place where his body would eventually be found. CCTV footage supports this claim as Delos Santos can be seen being dragged away with many witnesses watching on. Other witnesses claimed that Delos Santos was forced by the men to carry a gun and run, and then after, was shot from behind. Another witness states that Delos Santos was beaten by the men before they gave him the gun and eventually shot him.
The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has concluded that the Caloocan policemen’s sole purpose was to kill Delos Santos. They have confirmed that his arrest was staged, proving him innocent. As such, they have filed a complaint for murder and the planting of evidence against the officers who killed the teenager.
This is proof of not only the injustice in Delos Santos’ case, but also in the very system. His death is but one of many killings. He was 17 years old when he was shot dead, a high school student. It could have been anyone, any student or any child. This is also verification of the accusations that the War on Drugs has been nothing but a War on the Poor. Those without money cannot defend themselves, and most of the time do not have the resources to file a case in court. The stigma against those who live in poverty is used as a tool by these killers to defend their actions, feigning righteousness. Even some people fall victim to the false accusations fabricated by the police, spurred on by this stigma.
The anti-drug operations were part of the promise President Duterte made in his campaign, to eradicate the distribution and use of illegal drugs in the country. This was an oath that was made for the purpose of maintaining and achieving peace in the nation. Illegal drugs was described as the gateway for criminals and would-be criminals. As the president stated in his SONA on July 24, 2017, "War on drugs will continue because it is the root of so many evils and sufferings.”
Yet, the police officers and vigilantes alike did not need the influence of illegal drugs when they mercilessly and without any accountability took other people’s lives. These acts have caused suffering for many and have opened the question of what really is the root of all evil.
It isn’t even an issue with drugs anymore. Drug abuse is wrong, undoubtedly so, and it can lead to severe consequences. Yet the problem the country is facing now is greater than what others may claim it to be. It is a crisis of the soul. When did it become the norm to accept hatred and murder? In history, wars have proven to only be the downfall of countries and have never been the solution to conflict. Death has never been a sign of progress; life and the drive for a better quality of life is what makes a nation.
When did the unjustifiable become justifiable? Planting evidence to cover up murder is an example of how far the people have strayed from honesty and righteousness. Those who have sworn to uphold and protect the law, now twist it to abuse others.
Even with their methods being under scrutiny, 19-year-old Carl Arnaiz, from Cainta, Rizal, was accused by the police of attempting to rob a taxi. A shoot-out allegedly ensued and Arnaiz was shot dead and his body was found in a morgue in Caloocan. It was claimed that he was carrying marijuana and cocaine. In the autopsy report, it was found that he was tortured before he was killed.
Fourteen-year-old Reynaldo “Kulot” de Guzman, who was last seen with Arnaiz, was found dead in Nueva Ecija. He sustained 30 stab wounds. He was supposed to be buying midnight snacks near their house in Rizal.
What will stop these people from making the nation a war zone? What will stop these people from going to one’s homes? Must one wait for the time they trudge on one’s doorstep and hurt one’s families? Thousands have already died, and this needs to stop. One cannot sit idly by while the country is suffering.
Stand and fight for justice.
This cry is not exclusively for Kian, or Carl, or Kulot, but is also a cry for all who have suffered and are suffering from the power that has been given to unjust hands. It is one’s duty to care about what is happening around us. It is one’s duty to care for the people, to uphold what is right and protect it. Be the voice of the nation, be the person who wants this country to be better than what some people make it to be. Do not let the people down, because the people need you now. // by Hillary Fajutagana
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