A message of support for the family of Kian delos Santos hangs outside the Fatima Chapel in Barangay 160 in Caloocan City.
/Inquirer photo
Caloocan police chief relieved from post
The relief order against Caloocan City police chief has been served effective Monday as the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) starts the formal investigation into the death of 17-year-old Kian Loyd delos Santos, who was killed during an anti-drug operation on August 16.
Senior Superintendent Chito Bersaluna was relieved from his post following the death of Delos Santos during the “One-Time, Big-Time” anti-drug operation in Barangay 160 in Caloocan.
Bersaluna was relieved as police chief in order not to influence the ongoing investigation and provide an impartial result of the police inquiry.
“This administrative action is a procedural measure to guarantee utmost impartiality in the ongoing investigation by the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group on the circumstances surrounding the death of Kim Loyd delos Santos,” Philippine National Police Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said on Monday.
Bersaluna was not directly the subject of investigation, but Carlos said the administrative relief precludes possibility of his influence over the investigation of the incident that allegedly involved four personnel under his command.