Rodaliza Baltazar, a migrant worker, weeps upon arriving at her Navotas City home and seeing the body of her 17-year-old son Jemboy who was shot dead by the police on Aug. 2 in a case of mistaken identity. Charges have been filed against the six officers concerned. (LYN RILLON / INQUIRER)
MANILA, Philippines – The Senate on Tuesday held Navotas City police officers Captain Mark Joseph Carpio and Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban in contempt over their confusing remarks and non-participation in the chamber’s inquiry into the fatal mistaken identity shooting of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar.
When lawmakers grilled him, Carpio insisted that he “did not see” Baltazar when the teenager jumped into the water before the shooting.
Maliban, on the other hand, refused to answer when asked if he was the one who fired the first shot during the operation.
“Dahil nag re-refuse sumagot ng tanong ng komiteng ito ng Senado si Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban at nagbibigay ng pabago-bago, nakakalito, at halatang hindi makatotohanang sagot si Police Captain Carpio, I move to hold the two gentlemen in contempt,” said Senator Risa Hontiveros during a public hearing held Tuesday.
(Since Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban has refused to answer this Senate committee’s question and Police Captain Carpio is giving conflicting, confusing, and false replies, I move to hold the two gentlemen in contempt.)
Hontiveros’ call was immediately backed by Senator Raffy Tulfo, who was also present at the hearing.
With no objections from the other senators present, Senator Ronald Bato Dela Rosa, who presided over the investigation as chairperson of the committee on public order and dangerous drugs, cited the two police officers in contempt.
“This will serve as a lesson sa inyong lima. [Makipag cooperate] kayo sa imbestigasyon dito,” dela Rosa told the other police officers present during the investigation.
(This will serve as a lesson for you. Cooperate in this investigation.)