It is said that the inability of the body worn camera of the police to function was a big issue when they conducted a follow up operation against a murder suspect where the teenager Jerhod “Jemboy” Baltazar was mistaken for the suspect and was later killed on August 2 in Navotas City.
This was announced by Navotas City Police chief Col. Allan Umipig of the Northern Police District (NPD) so part of their investigation is the non-use of body worn cameras which is one of the standard operating procedures (SOP) in police operations.
According to Umipig, the report that the police tried to hide the incident will also be investigated because it took three hours before it was reported to him. In fact, he did not know that the police had an operation in Brgy. NBBS Development.
The police involved were identified as PEMS Roberto Balais, PSSg Antonio Bugayong, PSSg Gerry Maliban, PSSg Nikko Pines Esquillon, PCpl. Edward Jake Blanco and Pat. Benedict Mangada.
Umipig assured that he would not condone what his police did and that they would only rely on evidence.
Even NCRPO chief PBGen. Jose Melencio Nartatez, Jr., assured Baltazar’s family that they would get justice.
According to Nartatez, the policemen involved in Jemboy’s death should undergo “retraining.”
Bodycams in police ops vs ‘Jemboy’ not used
In this regard, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Baltazar was killed by Raquel Fortun, who was hit in the head and pierced his nose. It also drowning, which added to its immediate death.
Baltazar also appeared to have a gunshot wound to his right hand. It is said that it is possible that Baltazar raised his hand to indicate his surrender, but the police still fired.
“‘Yung kamay, because of the location, this is what we call a defense-type injury. And I heard accounts that he held his hands up in surrender, and that is a defensive stance,” said Fortun.
Fortun also immediately rejected the alibi of the police that Baltazar jumped into the water and was shot there.
“Kasi kung blindly nagpaputok ka sa isang tao sa tubig… the chest naturally is a bigger target, wala kaming nakitang bala naiwan doon sa body. Lusutan talaga, through and through ‘yung dalawang tama niya,” added Fortun.
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