Three Philippine policemen suspended for killing student

Manila Aug 18 (IANS) The Philippine National Police on Friday announced the suspension of three officers for their involvement in the death of a student as part of a violent anti-drug campaign.

Kyan delos Santos 17 died on Wednesday in Caloocan reports Efe news.

Metro Manila police chief Oscar Albayalde said it was an isolated incident and said a probe has been launched.

According to the official version of the police operations carried out on August 16 Santos was shot dead while trying to escape arrest.

The police recovered a .45 caliber pistol and drugs from the student.

At least 72 people have died this week in scores of police operations in Metro Manila and Bulacan province as part of President Rodrigo Duterte s war on drugs.

An operation in Bulacan on Wednesday led to 32 deaths and 107 arrests.

Another 26 people were killed on Wednesday and 14 more on Thursday in police operations in Metro Manila.

The violent campaign since it was launched in June 2016 has claimed more than 7 000 lives -- of them 3 451 were killed in 68 214 police operations while 96 703 people were arrested according to official data.

--IANS
ksk/dg