SIX Navotas policemen have been charged with murder over last month’s killing of teenager Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar in what the police said was a case of mistaken identity.
The Navotas City Prosecutors Office led by Assistant City Prosecutor Arvin Carael accused Staff Sgts. Gerry Maliban, Antonio Bugayong Jr.and Nikko Pines Esquilon, Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Balais Jr., Cpl.Edmard Jade Blanco, Pat.Benedict Mangada and several John Does of murder in the killing of Baltazar last August 2.
The indictment accused them of “willfully, unlawfully and feloniously” killing Baltazar.
“The accused conspiring, confederating and mutually helping one another did and there simultaneously and through (a) series of successive fires shot Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar, thereby inflicting gunshot wounds to the back of his head and to the dorsal portion of his hand,” the indictment said.
It said the accused continued to fire at Baltazar even after he fell from a boat and while underwater in his attempt to avoid the assault.
Baltazar and his friend were cleaning their boat in the river near their home in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran, Navotas City when they were ordered by the police to surrender. Baltazar dove into the water.
The police said they were looking for a murder suspect in the barangay and received a tip the suspect allegedly boarded a boat to escape.
It was later discovered that Baltazar was not the target of the police pursuit operation.
After the incident, the PNP sacked Navotas police chief Col. Allan Umipig and ordered the filing of administrative cases against him after he allegedly instructed the team leader of the police operatives to exclude the names of 11 other officers from their reports on the killing of Baltazar.
