SENATE deputy minority leader Risa Hontiveros yesterday said the “lesser crime” of homicide filed against the six policemen who fatally shot a 17-year-old boy in Navotas “is both alarming and suspicious.”
Hontiveros issued the remark after the PNP filed “reckless imprudence resulting to homicide” raps against the police officers involved in the killing of Jehrode “Jemboy” Baltazar in what was allegedly a case of mistaken identity in an operation in Barangay NBBS Kaunlarana last August 2.
Hontiveros said while the PNP was swift in detaining the six cops, “it is both alarming and suspicious as to why the officers were charged only with the lesser crime of reckless imprudence resulting (to) homicide instead of the proper charge (of) homicide.”
“Reckless imprudence (resulting in homicide) carries a lighter penalty than homicide. It is clear that it is against the law and the PNP’s regulations to fire a volley of shots on an unarmed civilian who is not doing anything against the law,” Hontiveros said.
Reckless imprudence resulting in homicide is punishable by a prison term of up to 4 years and 2 months, while homicide has an imprisonment of up to 20 years.
Hontiveros expressed the hope the PNP will be fair in handling the case, saying: “I just hope that there will be no whitewash or special treatment on the cops involved in the killing of Jemboy.
“We need to end this ‘culture of violence and impunity’ not only in the PNP but also in the entire government that has ruined so many lives, especially those of the poor and underprivileged,” she said. “I condemn Jemboy’s heinous killing in the strongest terms.”
Reports said six members of the Navotas City Police Station were allegedly pursuing a suspect in a shooting incident in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South Kaunlaran last August 2 when they spotted two males on a boat.
Baltazar reportedly jumped into the river while his companion hid on the boat.
One of the cops fired into the water, hitting Baltazar, only to realize later that he was not the subject of their pursuit operation.
A TV report said Baltazar was with his friend preparing their boat at around noon when a group of cops arrived and ordered them to get off. The two reportedly tried to surrender but the cops fired at them until Baltazar jumped into the water.
MOM COMING HOME
The overseas Filipino worker (OFW) mother of Baltazar is set to return home from Qatar soon, according to the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW).
In a statement, the DMW announced that OFW Rodaliza Baltazar is now with the Migrant Workers Office in Doha and is waiting for her flight to the Philippines.
“She sought the DMW’s assistance after hearing news of her son’s death,” DMW Officer-in-Charge and Undersecretary Bernard Olalia said.
He said Baltazar had been in hiding from Qatari authorities, working in odd jobs after running away from her employer last year.
Olalia said Baltazar was able to obtain a final exit clearance after the DMW helped resolve her case with the Criminal Investigation Department (CID).
Aside from bringing the elder Baltazar home, Olalia said they will provide other forms of assistance to the family.
He said the DMW and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) will jointly provide P100,000 in financial assistance.
Olalia said they will also shoulder the funeral and burial expenses of Baltazar’s son. — With Gerard Naval
