Philippines shocked by student killed in drug war

The death of a 17-year-old student in the Philippines has sparked nationwide protests and prompted a series of government agencies to launch investigations.

Security camera captured Kian Delos Santos being dragged away. Video: GMA.

Kian Delos Santos was dragged from his home in Caloocan, a Manila suburb, and killed by police during a raid on drug dealers. Santos' last words before his death on August 16 were: "Please stop. Please stop. I have a test tomorrow," according to a witness.

An autopsy found Santos was shot twice in the head and once in the back. Even President Rodrigo Duterte, who has been tough on drugs, said something was wrong with the police operation after viewing security camera footage showing two men dragging the defenseless teenager along the street.

The footage casts doubt on police claims that they had to shoot the teenager dead after he pulled out a gun and resisted arrest, according to the Guardian.

"I saw the video on TV and I agree that there should be an investigation. If the investigation shows that one, two or more people are responsible, they will be prosecuted and go to jail if convicted," Mr. Duterte said.

Since Mr. Duterte became president of the Philippines, despite international criticism, he and his anti-drug campaign have received domestic support.

Santos' death, however, appears to be a turning point. Three government agencies, the Department of Justice, the Senate, and the Philippine Commission on Human Rights have launched investigations.

Santos's last words before his death were widely shared on social media. Protesters gathered at the People Power Revolution Monument in Manila yesterday to express their anger.

Kian Delos Santos' mother grieves in front of her son's coffin. Photo: ABS-CBN.

The location of the protest is symbolic. The People Power Revolution was the civil disobedience campaign that toppled dictator Ferdinand Marcos. The movement began 34 years ago, after the death of former senator Benigno Aquino.

Senator Paolo Benigno Aquino IV, nephew of the aforementioned Mr. Aquino, also joined the protest."There must be justice for Santos and other victims of state abuse at the hands of law enforcement and civil servants."

Teresita Deles, a former government official, said she hoped Santos' death, like Aquino's in 1983, would bring more attention to the ongoing violence.

She said the injustice in Santos' case was undeniable. "We have witnesses, we have accounts of his last moments, we know that he pleaded with the police because he had an exam the next day. It's clear that this is a teenager who is trying to make a living," she said.

According to VNE