Department Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benhur Abalos directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to review its
operational procedures after Navotas City cops killed 18-year-old Jemboy Baltazar due to mistaken identity.
“We will have a meeting with the PNP leadership to discuss what we should do. We will revisit all modes of procedure and the command
responsibility, to find out the level of liability and prevent this from happening again.” Abalos said in a statement on Friday.
SILG Abalos and PNP Chief Police General Benjamin Acorda Jr. separately visited the wake of the teenager on Thursday.
Earlier reports said that the victim, Jemboy Baltazar, was a minor aged 17 years old, but in a text message, the PNP Public Information
Office chief, Brig. Gen. Medrico Maranan, said the victim was already 18 years old and thus of legal age.
On August 2, Baltazar was aboard a small vessel and on his way to go fishing when he was shot and killed by Navotas City cops in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran.
Accompanying the victim was his friend who said they were preparing their boat when a policeman ordered them to get off. The two reportedly tried to give themselves up but the cops allegedly kept on shooting, and it was at this point that Baltazar dove into the water.
Some of the six policemen said in their affidavits that they fired shots only at the water and that they did not intend to hit the
teenager.
General Acorda told Baltazar’s family that the PNP will exert all efforts to find out what really happened.
“I am here, first, to send our condolences. At the same time, to give assurance to the members of the family that we will not hide anything.
When it comes to the conduct of the investigation, we will be exerting all our efforts so the truth will come out in this investigation.” the
PNP chief said.
Acorda added that the PNP will continue to provide protection to the Baltazar family.
Meanwhile, the PNP chief also reminded policemen: “Please be wary of your actions. You know what the proper procedure is, you know the
protocols, and you know how to use your firearm. We should know the basics.”
The policemen have undergone inquest proceedings over complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
They are also facing administrative charges for grave misconduct and serious irregularity in the performance of duty. They have been
relieved from their posts and are currently detained at the Navotas Police Headquarters.