Police admit lapses in Navotas ops that killed 17-year-old

The Navotas police admitted there were lapses in their operational procedures in pursuing a suspect that resulted in the killing of a 17-year-old boy.

The father of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar let out a loud cry after the dead body of his son was fished out of the river, according to a "24 Oras" report by Mariz Umali.

His death certificate stated he died from a gunshot wound on the head and drowning.

Police said he was mistaken for a shooting suspect who was the subject of their operation in the area.

Jemboy was aboard a small vessel and preparing to go fishing when the team of police came, surrounded the area and started shooting him.

"Nag-warning shot. Tapos tumalon si Jemboy May nagmura sabi lumabas kayo tapos sunud-sunod na yung putok. Mga isang minuto. Pagtalon sa tubig dun siya pinagbabaril, binakbakan," a witness said.

Jemboy's mother, an overseas Filipino worker in Qatar, caught a glimpse of her son through a cellphone video.  She is seeking help from the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration to return home.

"Iyak ako nang iyak. Sobrang sakit takot na takot nga akong makagat yan ng lamok tapos pinabayaan pa ng pulis sa ilog… Dapat di nila pinagbabaril. Pinabayaan pa ng tatlong oras nakababad sa tubig. Di makatao," Rodaliza Baltazar, Jemboy's mother, said.

Jeraldine Tolentino, the victim's sister, said a family of a police officer went to see them and offered P50,000.  But she said she refused the offer and vowed to pursue the case.

"Managot sila, mula nung mamatay ang apo ko di na ako makatulog," Liza Tolentino, Jemboy's grandmother, said.

Police Captain Anthony Mondejar, chief of operations of the Navotas police, said operational procedures were not followed.  For one, he added, that Jemboy was shot several times even if he was unarmed.

"Dapat all available peaceful means ginawa. Baril last resort lang,  justification sa paggamit last resort, self defense at defense of a stranger. Warning shot is prohibited," Mondejar said.

The six cops involved in the operation and believed to have shot Jemboy have undergone inquest proceedings over complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

The cops, who will also face administrative charges, have been relieved from their post and are detained at the Navotas police headquarters.

The two team leaders of the operation are also facing an administrative case for command responsibility and were recently transferred to the Northern Police District headquarters.

The cops involved were not allowed to be interviewed.  Some said in their affidavits that they fired shots only on the water.  The others said they were not the ones who shot Jemboy.

"Ang basis kasi nila ay i-compel yung suspect na sumuko kaya nagpaputok sila," Mondejar said.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Internal Affairs Services chief Alfegar Triambulo has ordered and investigation into the incident. 

"Tinitignan natin ito doon sa tinatawag na individual lapses or error of judgment ng ating mga police on ground. Hindi naman ito matatawag na organization problem," PNP Public Information Office chief Brigadier General Redrico Maranan added.

The Navotas police said there would be no whitewash in the probe and those responsible will be punished.

The Commission on Human Rights has also offered assistance to the victim's family.—Jiselle Anne Casucian/LDF, GMA Integrated News