Cops involved in Jemboy's killing did not wear body cams –NPD

The six police officers involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar in Navotas City were not wearing body cameras at the time of the operation, the Northern Police District (NPD) said on Monday.

According to Emil Sumangil and Saleema Refran’s “24 Oras” report, NPD Director Police Brigadier General Rizalito Gapas said the cops failed to produce videos of the operation, which could have shed light on what transpired during the shooting.

“Ito ay isang operation na sa tingin natin ay may dapat ginamit na body-worn camera,” said Gapas.

(In our view, this is the kind of operation in which body cameras should have been used.)

Baltazar, 17, was on his way to fish on August 2 when he was shot and killed by Navotas City police in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran after they allegedly mistook the teenager for a murder suspect.

“Hindi ito magkahawig pero ayon sa kanilang istorya, ito’y tumalon sa tubig kaya nagsimula na ang pagputok. Dun pa lang, nakita na natin paglabag sa POP [police operational procedure],” said Gapas.

(They didn't look alike, but according to their statements he jumped into the water and that’s why they shot him. Right there, you can see that there were violations of police operational procedures.)

The city police previously admitted there were lapses in the operation and the involved cops were relieved from their posts. They also underwent inquest proceedings over complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and are detained at the Navotas Police Headquarters.

In July 2021, the Supreme Court approved a resolution providing rules for the mandatory use of body-worn cameras during the execution of search and arrest warrants.

Under the resolution, law enforcers must have at least one body-worn camera and one alternative recording device or such number needed to record the relevant incidents during the execution of search or arrest warrants.

In case of unavailability of body-worn cameras, law enforcers shall file a motion before the court to use alternative recording devices for justifiable reasons.

Witness

Meanwhile, a witness spoke with Jemboy's family and promised to provide an account of what happened during the shooting.

Rhoda Baltazar, the victim’s mother, said the witness told them how the police scared her son, prompting Jemboy to dive into the water.

“Parang awa mo na, ikaw ang kasama ng anak ko. Sana matulungan mo si Jemboy na makamit niya ang hustisya, kung ano yung nakita mo, huwag ka matakot sa mga pulis, tutulungan tayo ni Lord,” she said.

(I am begging you, you were with my son. Please help him get the justice he deserves. Do not be scared of the police because the Lord will help us.)

Rhoda also hoped other witnesses would surface and help their family bring justice to her son’s death.

“Paano kami makakakuha ng mga witness? Kasi po, bago mangyari 'yung insidente, pinaalis ‘yung mga… tao. Talagang siya ang magiging witness namin,” she added.

(How can we get more witnesses when the police drove people away from the scene? This is our only witness so far.)

The Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) visited Jemboy’s wake, hoping to talk to the witness for their report. But they were unable to do so.

Meanwhile, the Navotas City police chief was instructed to submit a written report on the incident.

DILG

Interior and Local Government Secretary Benhur Abalos said they were looking into why the involved cops were not wearing body cameras and why the police officers were not paraffin tested.

“Unang-una warning shot, nasa procedure yan eh. Ang pinakamali sa lahat babaril ka na lang nang basta-basta tapos nandun na, hindi man lang daw kinuha yung bata,” Abalos said.

(Warning shots - that's part of the proper procedure. The worst mistake was shooting carelessly and just leaving the boy there.)

Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide were filed against the cops, but the DILG said they were looking into upgrading the charge to murder. — Sundy Mae Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News