Hontiveros condemns Navotas cops’ fatal mistaken identity shooting of teenager
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Risa Hontiveros on Thursday condemned “in the strongest terms” the murder of a 17-year old boy in Navotas City by officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP).
In a statement on Thursday, Hontiveros extended her heartfelt condolences to the family of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar who was killed by Navotas policemen in a case of mistaken identity in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South Kaunlaran last August 2.
“Kasama nyo akong maninindigan upang makamit ang mabilis at tunay na hustisya sa kanyang pagkamatay (I will stand with you to attain quick and real justice for his death). I condemn Jemboy’s heinous killing in the strongest terms,” Hontiveros said.
She pointed out that it was both “alarming and suspicious” how the six police officers who killed Baltazar were charged only with the lesser crime of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide instead of homicide.
“Di hamak na mas maliit ang parusa sa reckless imprudence resulting in homicide (imprisonment of up to 4 years and 2 months) kumpara sa homicide (imprisonment of up to 20 years),” she said.
(The penalty for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide is significantly less compared to homicide.)
Hontiveros said no justification or any excuse can be used in suddenly shooting an unarmed civilian and is hoping that there would be no whitewash, special treatment and limitation of the punishment that the police officers involved in the killing of Baltazar will face.
She then called on the public to unite in seeking justice not just for Baltazar, but for other youth who were victims of extrajudicial violence such as Kian delos Santos, Carl Arnaiz and Reynaldo de Guzman — three teenagers who were also killed by police officers in 2017.
“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,” said Hontiveros.
