Whether he was involved in drugs or not, 17-year-old Kian delos Santos did not deserve to die the manner he did, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said on Tuesday.

In a statement, the defense chief expressed his sympathy to the family of the Grade 11 student, who was killed in an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City on the night of Aug. 16.

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“I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Kian delos Santos. Whether or not he was involved in the use or trafficking of illegal drugs, he did not deserve to die in the manner that he did,” Lorenzana said.

Police claimed Delos Santos resisted authorities and allegedly fired at them, prompting them to fire back. But witnesses claimed the police account was not true.

The police also insist that Delos Santos was a drug runner based on their intelligence information, but later admitted that he was not on their watchlist.

Lorenzana said that an investigation must be allowed to take its full and proper course,

“If the allegations of foul play are proven then the perpetrators must be brought to justice. They must be made to account for what they have done,” he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte, on Monday night, vowed that police officers involved in the death of the minor will “rot in jail” if proven that Kian’s death was a case of rub out.

READ: Duterte vows to punish cops in Kian killing if proven guilty

Lorenzana said that the public should not be reckless with their speculations and instead wait on the results of the investigation.

“Nagsalita na po ang Pangulong Duterte at kanyang tiniyak na mananagot ang sinumang lumabag sa batas sa pagkamatay ni Kian (President Duterte had already spoken and he assured that those responsible of violating the law that led to the death of Kian will be made answerable),” he said. JPV

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