Some relatives of the policemen involved in the death of a 17-year-old boy who was mistaken for a suspect and shot during a police operation in Navotas City are reportedly negotiating a settlement. But the victim’s family wants justice.
In a report by Mariz Umali on GTV “State of the Nation” this Wednesday, it was said that the victim, Jemboy Baltazar, suffered a bullet wound in the back of the neck that penetrated the nose.
According to Baltazar’s friend, they were on a boat to go out when the police arrived and fired a warning shot.
Baltazar jumps into the water due to panic and is shot until a bullet hits him. It took three more hours before his body was recovered from the water.
According to the police, some of the policemen involved in the operation said they only fired into the water, and some also said they were not the ones who fired.
But according to Navotas Police Captain Anthony Mondejar, chief operation of Navotas, Police, the warning shot was incorrect.
“As much as possible, all available peaceful means ang dapat gamitin po ng police at ang use ng firearm is our last resort during police intervention,” the official explained.
“Justification lang po sa paggamit ng firearm is kung yun talaga ang last resort natin. Depends sa stranger. Warning shots are prohibited,” he added.
Cop shoots dead teenager in Navotas City
According to Baltazar’s brother, there are relatives of the involved police officers who allegedly tried to settle them.
“Sila na raw po lahat sasagot [sa libing]. Ang sabi po namin hindi na po namin kailangan kasi mayroon na pong sumagot. Nag-ano po ng P50,000 po,” according to Jeraldine who decided to pursue the case against the police.
“Tuloy po yung kaso sa kanila. Kulang pa nga ‘yun sa ginawa nila sa kapatid ko eh,” she insisted.
Baltazar’s mother, an OFW, was deeply saddened by the fate of her son, whom she had taken care of.
According to the police, the police were chasing a shooting suspect when the incident happened. Based on the information they received, the suspect was in the boat, and that is why Baltazar was mistaken for him.
The six policemen involved in the incident have been removed from their posts and will file a corresponding complaint.
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