MANILA — Senator Risa Hontiveros welcomed the Supreme Court’s decision affirming the murder conviction of three police officers for the killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos, calling it a clear affirmation that the teenager was killed without provocation during an anti-drug operation in 2017.

“Malinaw ang hatol ng Korte Suprema: Pinatay nang walang kalaban-laban si Kian delos Santos. Walang engkwentro at hindi siya nanlaban. Hindi totoo ang mga palusot ng tatlong pulis na pumatay sa kanya,” Hontiveros said in a statement published on December 23, 2025.

The senator said the ruling was “masayang balita” for Kian’s family and other victims, expressing hope that it would help them heal and recover. She added that the decision was also an inspiring development for human rights advocates, lawyers, civic groups, and families of other victims of the anti-drug campaign.

Hontiveros stressed that accountability should extend beyond the convicted officers, saying officials who allegedly attempted to cover up the incident and spread falsehoods about Kian and his family should also be held to account.

“Marami pa ang dapat managot ukol sa mga patayan at pang-aabuso na konektado sa tokhang,” she said, adding that justice remains incomplete as long as those who ordered the killings are not held responsible.

The Supreme Court affirmed the murder conviction of police officers Arnel Oares, Jeremias Pereda, and Jerwin Cruz for Kian’s killing during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City on August 16, 2017. In a decision penned by Associate Justice Jhosep Y. Lopez, the Court’s Second Division sentenced the officers to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in prison, and ordered them to pay Kian’s family PHP 275,000 in damages.

The case stemmed from witness accounts that the officers stopped and frisked Kian in Barangay Baesa, Caloocan City, punched him after allegedly finding suspected drugs, and later forced him to a dark area near a river. Witnesses said Oares and Pereda shot Kian multiple times while Cruz stood guard.

The officers claimed there was an armed encounter, but both the Regional Trial Court and the Court of Appeals rejected their version and found them guilty of murder.

In affirming the conviction, the Supreme Court ruled that all elements of murder under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code were present, including treachery. The Court cited witness testimony and forensic evidence showing that Kian was shot while in a helpless position and sustained five gunshot wounds, including two to the head.

The Court also rejected claims that inconsistencies in witness testimonies weakened the prosecution’s case and dismissed the defense that the officers were merely performing their duties, ruling that the performance of official duties does not include murder.

While upholding the conviction, the Supreme Court modified the penalty by removing the phrase “without eligibility for parole,” ruling that such qualification applies only when circumstances justifying the death penalty are present.