Navotas police left Jemboy in the river for hours after shooting

The Navotas City police had left 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar floating in the river for about three hours before his body was recovered from the waters.

According to Jonathan Andal’s “24 Oras” report, the Baltazar family had a painful reunion on Friday as Rodaliza, the victim’s mother, returned home after working in Qatar for two years to her son's wake.

Rodaliza arrived in the country early Friday and was met by Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnel Ignacio and senior officials of the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).

“Di ko alam 'yung pera na ipapadala ko sa kaniya para sa birthday niya, para sa kamatayan niya na 'yun,” she said.

(I didn’t know my birthday gift for him would be for his funeral.)

Rodaliza did not hide her anger over the incident.

“Ano po tingin nila sa anak ko? Ano lang po, pusa o aso na binaril lang nila? Pinabayaan lang nila don. Di nila man lang tinanong ang pangalan,” she said.

(They just left my son there. They did not even ask for his name.)

“Tanghaling-tapat po 'yung nangyari. Di ba nila nakita 'yung mukha? Di ba nila alam 'yung itsura ng hinuhuli nila. Sana po makonsensya sila sa ginawa nila sa anak ko. Bakit po ganon ang ginawa nila sa anak ko? Di nila binigyan ng pagkakataon,” she added.

(It happened in broad daylight. Were they not aware of how the suspect looked like? Why did they do that to him? They did not give him a chance.)

On August 2, Jemboy was aboard a small vessel and on his way to go fishing when he was shot and killed by six Navotas City cops in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran.

A friend who was with him said they were preparing their boat when a cop ordered them to get off. They reportedly tried to give themselves up but the police officers allegedly kept on shooting.

It was at this point that Baltazar dove into the water.

Some of the police officers said in their affidavits that they fired shots only at the water and that they did not intend to hit the teenager.

The involved cops have undergone inquest proceedings over complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide. They are currently detained at the Navotas Police headquarters.

They are also facing administrative charges for grave misconduct and serious irregularity in the performance of duty and have been relieved from their post.

In a separate "24 Oras" report, Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said it wants to know if police operational protocols are followed during the incident.

"Kung merong operation talaga ang body cam is really mandatory, eh marami kasing hindi sumusunod. Ito yung nakikita ng Supreme Court na problema rin talaga na nangyayari sa ating police enforcement," Remulla said.

Earlier, 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.

Meanwhile, Ignacio visited the Baltazar family and extended financial assistance.

This was apart from the P100,000 cash aid the DMW and OWWA provided to Rodaliza along with livelihood assistance, a scholarship grant to other children, and the resolution of her case in Qatar.

“After na makulong siya, may tumulong sa kaniya. Tinulungan siya at siya ay nakalaya. 'Yun nagtago-tago na siya habang naghahanap ng trabaho,” said DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia.

(Someone helped her after she was detained. She began hiding after getting free.)

“Sya po ay documented naman. Tinulungan natin sa kaso, nabigyan ng exit visa tulad ng sinabi ni Administrator Arnel at naayos natin 'yung kaniyang pag-uwi ng legal,” Olalia added.

(She’s a documented worker. We helped resolve her case and she was given an exit visa. She went home legally.)

The bereaved family is set to visit the police officers at their detention facility on Saturday, August 12, according to the report.—Sundy Locus/LDF, GMA Integrated News