Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 16) — Navotas City police chief PCol. Allan Umipig was relieved from his post and will face an administrative complaint in relation to the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar, the National Capital Region Police Office said Wednesday.
\”The Chief of Police failed to supervise the conduct of police operation and corresponding investigation hence, he is liable under the Doctrine of Command responsibility,\” the NCRPO memorandum dated August 15 read.
The NCRPO also noted that \”irregularity and neglect of duty exist on the part of the PNP personnel\” as none used body cameras. They also failed to justify the use of firearms and observe proper procedures during armed confrontations.
Six cops had already been relieved after they shot Baltazar on August 2 in Brgy. NBBS Kaunlaran due to mistaken identity.
But the police officers claimed they had fired warning shots aimed at the water.
The NCRPO also ordered the relief and the filing of complaints for neglect of duty against Station Investigation and Detective Management Section head PCpt. Juanito Arabejo and chief clerk PCMS Aurelito Galvez.
The NCRPO said that Arabejo and Galvez failed to subject the suspects to paraffin examination, and to preserve and record the evidence.
Meanwhile, 14 others were sacked from their posts. They are facing criminal and administrative complaints for failing to help the wounded during the police operation and for grave misconduct.
The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier called for a review of the Philippine National Police’s operational procedures.
