Manila: Senator Risa Hontiveros on Tuesday welcomed the Supreme Court ruling affirming the conviction of the police officers responsible for the killing of Kian delos Santos, saying the decision establishes that the teenager was murdered and did not fight back.

According to Philippines News Agency, Hontiveros stated that the High Court categorically rejected the claims of the three police officers, emphasizing that there was no shootout and that Kian was unarmed at the time of his death. She expressed, "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 (The Supreme Court's ruling is clear: Kian delos Santos was killed defenseless. There was no shootout, and he did not fight back. The excuses of the three police officers who killed him are not true)."

Hontiveros highlighted the ruling's significance by citing that the killing of minors and defenseless individuals can never be justified as part of police duty. She noted that the decision serves as an inspiration for human rights advocates, lawyers, civic groups, and other families of victims affected by the anti-drug campaign.

She further stated that officials who allegedly attempted to cover up the killing and spread false narratives to justify Kian's death must also be held accountable, pointing out that many abuses linked to the drug war remain unresolved.