Presidential Communications Office Secretary Dave Gomez stated that the Supreme Court's decision upholding the conviction of three police officers in the 2017 killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos underscores the need to consider a proposal from the church, civil society, and some members of Congress for an independent truth commission to investigate extrajudicial killings more deeply. Earlier, House Deputy Minority Leader Leila de Lima renewed her call for a truth commission to investigate drug war deaths during the Duterte administration. "We expect nothing less than the affirmation of the conviction of the three police officers involved in the brutal killing of 17-year-old Kian delos Santos," de Lima said. She reiterated calls for the swift passage of the Truth Commission on Extrajudicial Killings Act and the Anti-EJK Act, saying these are necessary to achieve justice and prevent future abuses. Malacañang noted the need to consider establishing a commission to investigate killings linked to the anti-illegal drugs campaign under former President Rodrigo Duterte. Duterte has been detained in The Hague, Netherlands, since March 13 following an ICC arrest warrant for alleged crimes against humanity. His request for interim release was denied by the ICC, citing the necessity of continued detention.
