Senators grill PNP execs over teen’s killing
“JUSTICE will prevail.”
Thus said Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, noting that the truth will prevail and will bring justice to the death of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar.
Baltazar was killed by six police officers after he was mistaken for a criminal.
Dela Rosa, in his opening statement, said the committee wanted to know what Philippine National Police (PNP) operational guidelines that were not followed by police officers involved in the killing of the teenager.
“Did Police Captain Mark Joseph Carpio, who was in charge of the operation, ensure the observance of the force continuum and exercise control over all police personnel during their operation as mandated by the PNP operational procedures?” Dela Rosa asked.
According to Dela Rosa, the committee also aims to form recommendations to prevent similar incidents from happening in the future.
Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito reminded police officers that while the Senate supports all the programs of the PNP, it doesn’t mean that they will tolerate their wrongdoings.
Ejercito said he heard information of police officers who have probably stepped overboard in performing their duties.
“Culture of impunity has no place in our history. We have always been supportive (of the PNP) but there are boundaries. Sometimes the support that we are giving them is construed as they can do everything,” Ejercito said in mixed Tagalog and English.
Sen. Risa Hontiveros called for stricter penalties for police officers who are found guilty of violating standard procedures in operations following the killing of Jemboy in a case of mistaken identity.
The Senate Deputy Minority leader noted supposed irregularities in the operation conducted by the Navotas City police resulting in Baltazar’s death. Hontiveros also cited the recent death of another teenager “in the hands of a trigger-happy and abusive” policeman in Rizal.
“It’s high time that we impose stricter criminal or administrative penalties for noncompliance of policies for accountability during police operations,” Hontiveros said in Filipino.
“Nakakalungkot na noong nakaraang hearing, bali-baligtad ang mga sagot ng ilan sa ating resource persons ukol sa pagpatay kay Jemboy Baltazar, taliwas sa kanilang panunumpa sa ating komite.
Pero ika nga sa kasabihan, truth has a way of floating its way to the surface. Ngayon pa lang, lumalabas na ang mga larawan at salaysay na magbibigay sa atin ng kumpleto at totoong pangyayari sa likod ng pagpaslang kay Jemboy.” she said.
