Philippines cops fired after framing, killing teen 'for no reason'

Three police officers in the Philippines were sacked amid allegations they framed a teenager during an anti-drug operation before shooting him dead. File picture: Don Petersen/AP

Three police officers in the Philippines were sacked amid allegations they framed a teenager during an anti-drug operation before shooting him dead. File picture: Don Petersen/AP

Published Aug 18, 2017

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Manila - Three police officers in the Philippines were sacked on Friday amid allegations they framed a 17-year-old boy during an anti-drug operation before shooting him dead.

The three officers are accused of forcing the victim, Kian Loyd Delos Santos, to hold a gun and telling him to run before they shot him on Wednesday night, two witnesses told local media.

CCTV footage from the neighbourhood of Delos Santos' house in the Manila suburb of Caloocan also showed the three police officers in civilian clothes dragging the boy to the area where he was later killed.

Director Oscar Albayalde, head of the capital's police force, said the three officers and their commander have been called for an investigation into the incident.

"We decided to relieve the three officers to be able to conduct an impartial investigation into the allegations against them," he said.

According to a police report, Delos Santos ran when he saw the officers approaching him. He then pulled out a gun and opened fire at the policemen, who shot back.

Delos Santos was among at least 80 people killed in various anti-drug raids by the police in Manila and nearby areas since Monday.

National police Director General Ronald Dela Rosa assured the public on Friday that the police officers involved in the killing would be punished if they are found to be guilty.

"I will not allow any police officer to just kill a 17-year-old boy for no reason at all. Are they that heartless?," Dela Rosa told reporters.

dpa

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