PNP respects court verdict on cops in Navotas teen’s slay

Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar’s wake in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran, Navotas City. (INQUIRER.net / Faith Argosino)

MANILA, Philippines —  The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said that it respects the court’s verdict on police officers involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar on August 2, 2023.

PNP Spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the organization “remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that any member found guilty of unlawful acts is held accountable for their actions.”

“We respect and welcome the decision of the Navotas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 286 although we cannot bring the life of Jemboy back, we continue to extend our condolences to his family. May this incident serve as an eye-opener for our personnel to adhere to our police operational procedure,” Fajardo said in Filipino during a press briefing. 

In a separate statement, PNP highlighted that “the clarity provided by the court’s decision on the murder charges initially brought against the police officers underscores the importance of due process and the rule of law in [the] society.”

Moving forward, the PNP vowed that it is dedicated to enhancing training, protocols, and oversight mechanisms to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future. 

“The dismissal of the aforementioned personnel from service in September 2023 underscores the PNP’s unwavering stance on accountability and swift action against misconduct,” it assured the public. 

Earlier Tuesday, the Navotas RTC found Staff Sergeant Gerry Sabate Maliban (IS) guilty of homicide and was meted with a penalty of up to six years and four months of imprisonment with P100,000 in civil liability and for moral damages.

Five other police offers –  Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Dioso Balais Jr., Staff Sergeant Nikko Pines Corollo Esquillon (SWAT); Corporal Edmark Jake Sorbito Blanco (Sub-station 4), Patrolman Benedict Danao Mangada (Sub-station 4) were found guilty of illegal discharge of firearms and were meted with a penalty of four months and one day of imprisonment.

On the other hand, Staff Sergeant Antonio Balcita Bugayong (Intelligence Service) was acquitted.