Hontiveros sees obstruction of justice in Jemboy Baltazar’s slay

Senator Risa Hontiveros speaks during a Senate hearing. (File photo taken by Voltaire F. Domingo/Senate PRIB)

MANILA, Philippines — “Relief from position is not justice.”

These were Senator Risa Hontiveros’ words as she urged Ombudsman and Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate Navotas police chief Colonel Allan Umipig and other persons.

Her request was prompted by suspicions of a cover up in the involvement of police officers in the killing of Jemboy Baltazar.

Umipig was relieved from his post and is now facing administrative charges.

While the temporary removal of Umipig from his unit was noted by Hontiveros, she said this action alone is not enough.

“Is it standard procedure for police officers to shoot on sight and not even attempt arrest?” she asked.

“I urge the Ombudsman and [the] DOJ to further investigate the Navotas police chief and police officers for obstruction of justice after it was discovered they had altered the report on Baltazar’s death to remove the names of the 11 officers,” said the lawmaker.

Hontiveros also intends to seek a Senate probe into Jemboy Baltazar’s tragic end.

She said the lies behind the story on the victim’s fate will not remain hidden.

She added the chamber must explore the “possibility [of penalizing] police officers who fail to turn on their body cams during operations.”

The killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar took place on August 2.

Navotas policemen shot the teenager dead simply because they mistook him for a murder suspect.

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