DOJ orders NBI to secure family of Jemboy Baltazar

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla on Wednesday said he has asked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to secure the family of Jemboy Baltazar, the 17-year-old who was killed by cops in Navotas after he was mistaken for a suspect.

On Tuesday, Baltazar’s family were escorted to the Department of Justice.

“We’re asking the NBI to help them, secure them, help secure them together with certain witness protection personnel,” Remulla said at a media briefing.

“Kaya this is a concerted effort that we have to help those in trouble. Ito ‘yung mga kailangang kailangan ng ano eh ng ating justice system na ma-assure ‘yung tao na kapag sila nag demanda, tutulungan sila ng gobyerno at hindi sila iiwan ng nakabitin,” he added.

[That’s why this is a concerted effort that we have to help those in trouble. This is what is needed in our justice system, to assure people that if they file cases, the government will help them and will not leave them hanging.]

Baltazar was on his way to fish when he was shot and killed by six Navotas City policemen in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran on August 2.

Last week, Police Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Balais Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban, Police Staff Sergeant Antonio Bugayong, Police Staff Sergeant Nikko Esquilon, Police Corporal Edmark Jake Blanco, and Patrolman Benedict Mangada surrendered to authorities.

The six turned themselves in to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) in Lucena City in Quezon after the Navotas City Regional Trial Court Branch 286 ordered their arrest.

The six are facing murder charges and are thus not entitled to bail.

‘Persistent’ threats

When asked if the move was prompted by increased threats against the family, the Justice Secretary said the threats have always been “persistent.”

“Sa simula pa lang, there were already efforts to ano, no, marami nang gustong lutuin ‘yung kaso na hindi umabot ng murder. Tapos marami nang nag pabalikbalik doon at meron pang nawalang testigo, may namatay pang testigo,” Remulla said.

[Right from the start, there were already efforts to— many individuals wanted the case to not reach murder. And there were many going back and forth there, and then a witness disappeared, there was a witness who died.]

“Kaya mabigat ito, malalim itong problemang ito. At pag fa-file ng murder cases, nakita namin na pwede silang lalong pag initan kaya sine-secure na ng maaga,” he added.

[This is a big problem, a deep problem. And when they file murder cases, we see that the threats against them may increase so we’re securing them early.]

Remulla said the government is extending financial support and other kinds of support to the family.

According to his death certificate, Baltazar’s cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head as well as asphyxia from drowning.

Noted forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun earlier said autopsy results revealed that Baltazar also had a gunshot wound on his right hand, indicating that he tried to defend himself.

The autopsy found that Baltazar was hit twice, on the head with an entry wound behind the ear and an exit wound on the nose, while the other shot hit him on the right hand.

Eight policemen, including the six who were ordered arrested by the court, have been dismissed from service in connection with the incident. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News