KARAPATAN: Masterminds of EJKs should be brought to justice
KARAPATAN Public Information
PRESS RELEASE
26 December 2025
Reference: Cristina Palabay, KARAPATAN secretary general, 09173162831
KARAPATAN Public Information Desk, 09189790580
KARAPATAN: Masterminds of EJKs should be brought to justice
KARAPATAN welcomed the affirmation by the Supreme Court of the conviction of three policemen for the extrajudicial killing of 17-year old Kian delos Santos, but said that the real masterminds of the policy of extrajudicial killings in the so-called drug war must be meted justice as well.
Kian was killed in an anti-drug operation in Caloocan City in August 2017, where he was accosted, frisked and dragged by the policemen to a dark place near a river and shot in cold blood.
Just days before Kian's killing, Rodrigo Duterte infamously lambasted human rights groups for being critical of his drug war and assured the police that he had their backs should they be charged or convicted for killing drug suspects.
"Duterte’s policy and statements drove and emboldened the police to kill, kill and kill," said KARAPATAN secretary general Cristina Palabay. "There can only be real justice for Kian and the other victims of Duterte and his closest lieutenants are held accountable for their leading roles in the drug war carnage, and not just foot soldiers like the three convicted policemen."
The drive for justice and accountability in the extrajudicial killings and other violations of human rights and international humanitarian law, said Palabay, is closely linked to the overall quest for an end to impunity for State actors who have committed acts gravely detrimental to the people's interests.
"Whether this is related to extrajudicial killings or to massive bureaucratic corruption, and whether the perpetrators are from the Marcos Jr. or Duterte regime, lahat ng sangkot ay dapat managot," concluded Palabay.
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KARAPATAN is an alliance of human rights organizations and programs, human rights desks and committees of people’s organizations, and individual advocates committed to the defense and promotion of people’s rights and civil liberties. It monitors and documents cases of human rights violations, assists and defends victims and conducts education, training and campaign.