File picture of a caliber .38 revolver for illustration of a violent incident only. (Courtesy of PNP)
MANILA, Philippines — Criminal charges have been filed against six Navotas policemen who shot and killed a 17-year-old boy after mistaking him for a murder suspect last August 2.
“Criminal complaint of homicide was filed against involved police officers. Administrative charges are also being readied,” PNP public information chief Colonel Redrico Maranan said in a Viber message to INQUIRER.net.
Navotas police chief Colonel Allan Umipig said the law enforcers had admitted that they committed a mistake.
The cops said they did not intend to kill Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar.
The policemen were conducting a follow-up operation after receiving a tip that a murder suspect they had been tracking down was along a river in Balanse Street, North Bay Boulevard South (NBBS) Kaunlaran, Umipig said.
“Nakatanggap daw substation commander ng (impormasyon) iyong nakatakas na suspect, nandun nagtatago sa isang bangka. Dalawa po sila nandun. Yung isang kasama niya at nung batang biktima,” Umipig narrated in an interview over DZBB last August 8.
(The substation commander reportedly received information that the suspect who had escaped was hiding in a boat. There were two of them — one was the companion and the young victim.)
“Sumigaw mga pulis na sumuko sila. Bigla daw pong tumalon yung biktima. Yung isa, nandun lang. Pagkakamali lang, yung anim po na pulis, nagpaputok doon po sa tubig at natamaan pala nila yung biktima,” he gave the account.
(The policemen yelled that they should surrender. The victim suddenly jumped. One was just there. The cops made a mistake and fired into the water, and the victim was hit.)
Maranan said the cops already surrendered their issued firearms pending investigation.
“The PNP will not tolerate any error or lapses committed by our personnel while in the performance of their duties. We are also sending our condolences to the bereaved family,” he said.
INQUIRER.net has sought the side of Baltazar’s family, but they have yet to reply as of posting time.
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