Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 14) – The policemen involved in the shooting of Jemboy Baltazar were unable to present footage from their body cameras during the incident, said PBGen Jose Melencio Nartatez, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director, noting that the policemen will face criminal charges.
“With the investigation, as of now, wala silang mapakita na footages ng body cameras or alternative recording device,” Nartatez told reporters on Monday.
[Translation: \”With the investigation, as of now, they were not able to show any footage of body camera or alternative recording device.]
Nartatez added that the videos they have were CCTV footage or videos taken by residents and bystanders.
“Our action taken is the continuing investigation to seek answers on why walang body camera, walang paraffin test when they [policemen] were arrested or inquested at walang nag respond na investigator,” he said.
[Translation: Our action taken is the continuing investigation to seek answers on why there were no body cameras, no paraffin test when they were arrested or underwent inquest and there was no response from the investigators.]
Baltazar was gunned down on Aug. 2 by policemen in Navotas who reportedly mistook him for a murder suspect.
According to Nartatez, six policemen are currently detained as the investigation is still ongoing. However, all those involved in the shooting incident will face criminal charges.
Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos said the Department of Justice is finalizing the criminal case that will be charged against the policemen.
“Ang Department of Justice or ang prosecutor ang mag de-dertmine nito bandang huli if it is really murder or not murder,”Abalos said.
[Translation: In the end, the Department of Justice or the prosecutor will determine if it is really murder or not.]
The Northern Police District earlier said that all Navotas sub-station personnel were relieved from their position due to the shooting incident.
