The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has taken a significant step by approving the dismissal from service of the eight policemen implicated in the tragic death of teenager Jemboy Baltazar.
This decision aligns with the recommendation made by the Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) after a thorough investigation.
NCRPO chief Police Brigadier General Melencio Nartatez Jr. confirmed that he has already endorsed the IAS recommendation, marking a crucial development in this case.
“Napirmahan ko na (I already signed it),” he said.
According to a report by Mark Makalalad on Super Radyo dzBB, six of the policemen involved in the incident have been found guilty of administrative cases, including Grave Irregularity in the Performance of Duty and Conduct Unbecoming of a Police Officer.
The six policemen involved in the incident have been identified as Police Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Balais Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban, Police Staff Sergeant Antonio Bugayong, Police Staff Sergeant Nikko Esquilon, Police Corporal Edmark Jake Blanko Blanco, and Patrolman Benedict Mangada. They were found guilty of administrative cases related to their actions.
Additionally, the two team leaders in the operation, Police Captains Mark Joseph Carpio and Luisito dela Cruz, were found guilty of Grave Neglect of Duty. This decision comes in the wake of the tragic death of 17-year-old Baltazar, who lost his life on August 2 during a police operation in pursuit of a shooting suspect in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran, Navotas City.
8 cops tagged in Jemboy Baltazar’s death to be dismissed
A friend who was present with Baltazar recounted that they were preparing their boat when a police officer instructed them to disembark. They reportedly attempted to surrender, but the police officers allegedly continued to fire their weapons, leading Baltazar to jump into the water.
Subsequently, the police claimed that it was a case of mistaken identity. Some of the six officers initially implicated in the incident stated in their affidavits that they fired shots into the water and did not intend to hit Baltazar.
Police Brigadier General Rizalito Gapas, the Northern Police District (NPD) chief, previously expressed that the investigation conducted by the Navotas City Police regarding Baltazar’s death was deemed “not exhaustive.”
Renowned forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun reported that the autopsy results showed Baltazar had a gunshot wound on his right hand, suggesting that he may have attempted to defend himself.
The autopsy findings indicated that Baltazar had been struck twice: once in the head with an entry wound behind the ear and an exit wound on the nose, and the other shot hit his right hand.
According to his death certificate, the cause of Baltazar’s demise was attributed to a gunshot wound to the head, along with asphyxiation due to drowning.
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