MANILA – The three policemen convicted for the murder of a 17-year-old student amid the government’s crackdown on drugs in August last year will not be pardoned, President Rodrigo Duterte assured.
“No, of course not,” Duterte told reporters in a chance interview. “Maybe one million years from now [that’s possible].”
Police Officer 3 Arnel Oares and Police Officers 1 Jeremias Pereda and Jerwin Cruz guilty of killing Kian delos Santos in Caloocan City.
Caloocan Regional Trial Court Branch 125 Presiding Judge Rodolfo Azucena Jr. sentenced them to reclusion perpetua, or up to 40 years in prison.
The President said he will protect officers who kill drug suspects when their own lives are put in danger, but their involvement in murder and other criminal activities is a different story.
“Look, ang sinabi ko I will defend to death my soldiers and my policemen if they commit some acts which can be considered criminal but done in the performance of their duties,” Duterte said. “Pero for you to murder, hindi kasali iyan.” (PNA)
