JUSTICE Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla has directed the National Bureau of Investigation to secure the family of Jemboy Baltazar, the 17-year-old shot dead by Navotas cops in what the police said was a case of mistaken identity.
Remulla said he met with Baltazar’s parents and two sisters last Wednesday and conveyed to them the DOJ’s efforts to get justice for their son.
“We’re asking the NBI to help them, to secure them, help secure them together with certain witness protection personnel. This is a concerted effort, that we have to help those in trouble,” Remulla said.
Asked if there are threats to Baltazar’s family that necessitated the need for the NBI to secure them, Remulla said there are “efforts” to get the family to withdraw the case.
“From the very start, there were already efforts, many individuals wanted the case to be downgraded to homicide. And then a witness disappeared; there was also a witness who died,” Remulla said.
The DOJ chief said they expect the threats to further increase now that murder charges have been filed against the Navotas policemen involved in Baltazar’s killing.
Last week, Navotas City Regional Trial Court Branch 286 Presiding Judge Pedro Dabu Jr. issued warrants of arrest against Staff Sergeants 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 after they were indicted for killing Baltazar.
The court recommended no bail.
The six turned themselves in to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Lucena City following the issuance of the warrant.
Eight policemen, including the six who were ordered arrested by the Navotas court, have been dismissed from the service in connection with the incident.
Baltazar and his friend were cleaning their boat in the river near their home in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran, Navotas City when the cops fired at them.
The police said they were looking for a murder suspect in the barangay and got a tip that the latter allegedly boarded a boat to escape.
