Bato: Cops behind Jemboy's death should face murder raps due to excessive use of force

The police officers allegedly involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar should face murder charges instead of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said Tuesday.

The former national police chief-turned-lawmaker made the remark as he noted the autopsy findings of forensic pathologist, Dr. Raquel Fortun.

“Tinamaan nga sa ulo e, dalawa nga ang tama sa ulo e. ‘Di ba sabi nung autopsy report ni Fortun dalawang tama sa ulo?  Ano pa bang— reckless imprudence pa ba ‘yun? Murder! Murder! Eh ulo e, dalawang tama,” Dela Rosa said in a press conference after the Senate public order committee investigation into the death of Jemboy.

For Dela Rosa, it is “highly improbable” for Jemboy to be shot in the head if he is already underwater, as claimed by the involved cops in the case.

“Maniwala ka ba kung randomly nagpaputok siya sa tubig, nagpaputok siya sa tubig may hinahanap. Isa isang putok sila, dalawang bala napunta sa ulo nung bata? Napaka-improbable naman ‘yun. Ang lawak ng ilog ‘di ba? Sabi ng leader around nine shots ang narinig niya sa gilid lang daw ng ilog, dalawa doon pumasok sa ulo ng bata, ng victim?” he said.

While the former PNP chief understands the need for more policemen and the presence of SWAT in the area due to their hot pursuit operation against another suspect, Dela Rosa believes that the police officers involved in Jemboy’s death used excessive force.

“Very excessive force. Di natin sila makwestyon for deploying around 20 plus people, including SWAT  kasi ang balita, ang information, armed and dangerous… pero the manner of applying the force, ang application of force ang kwestyonable. Bakit kayo nagpaputok?  Wala namang armas ‘yung bata. Wala namang threat sa buhay niyo. Bakit ninyo pinutukan?” he asked.

Asked if the PNP officers involved in Jemboy’s killing should be removed from the force, Dela Rosa said they still need to undergo due process which is currently being studied by the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS).

But personally, Dela Rosa said he wanted these cops to be jailed immediately.

“Ang administrative proceedings ginawa na ng IAS. we trust IAS that they will do their job. But kung ako masunod, kung ako lang, noon pa kulong ko na agad mga ‘yan,” he said.

“’Di mo na maibalik ang buhay, isang pagkakamali mo lang—kung nagkamali sila… kung reckless imprudence lang ‘yan, pero buhay pa rin ang nasawi, hindi na maibalik ‘yan,” Dela Rosa said.

The Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs chaired by Dela Rosa is investigating the case of 17-year-old Jemboy who was shot dead by police officers due to alleged mistaken identity.

The next hearing of the Senate panel is on Wednesday morning.—AOL, GMA Integrated News