8 cops in Navotas teen’s slay dismissed from service

GRIEVING MOM Rodaliza Baltazar, mother of Jemboy, weeps during his wake at the family residence in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran, Navotas City, as her husband Jessie looks on. —LYN RILLON

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has approved the dismissal from service of the eight police officers who were part of the operation that killed 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar in Navotas City last month.

Ordered dismissed were Executive Master Sgt. Roberto Balais Jr.; Staff Sgts. Antonio Bugayong Jr., Gerry Maliban and Nikko Pines Esquillon; Cpl. Edmard Jake Blanc; and Patrolman Benedict Mangada—all personnel of the Navotas police station—as liable for grave irregularity in the performance of duty and for conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

Also dismissed were the operation’s team leaders, Capts. Mark Joseph Carpio and Luisito Dela Cruz, who were found guilty of serious grave neglect of duty.

The order was signed by NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Melencio Nartatez Jr. on Sept. 13., following the recommendation of the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS).

The eight police officers have 10 days to appeal the dismissal, NCRPO spokesperson Lt. Col. Eunice Salas said in a message to the Inquirer on Friday.

The eight were among the police officers who took part in the Aug. 2 police operation in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South Kaunlaran, where they mistook Jemboy Baltazar for Reynaldo Bolivar, a murder suspect they were pursuing.

According to IAS Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo, they were still finalizing the administrative charges against Col. Allan Umipig, the sacked Navotas police chief, and 22 other police personnel who were part of the operation.

The IAS earlier recommended the filing of the administrative complaint of dishonesty against Umipig after discovering an alleged cover-up in the investigation.

Based on the IAS investigation, Umipig directed the team leader to exclude 11 police officers from the report on the shooting incident. The former Navotas police chief denied the allegation.

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