Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 17) — Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel and Senator Risa Hontiveros have filed separate resolutions seeking an investigation into the death of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar, who was killed by police in Navotas earlier this month.
Hontiveros’ Senate Resolution 742 filed on Wednesday states that the inquiry will revolve on the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) “unabated use of excessive and lethal force.”
It will also cover laws, rules, and regulations on police engagement, use of firearms, and criminal liability of police officers.
The senator filed her resolution on the 6th death anniversary of Kian delos Santos, who was killed by police during an anti-drug operation in Caloocan in 2017.
READ: What we know so far about Kian’s death
Hontiveros said the culture of impunity inside the police force cast serious doubt on the transparency of the entire PNP and its capacity to exact accountability and seek justice among its members.
“The senseless taking of a young man’s life is one too many, and the government must do all it can to prevent the repeat of this tragic incident, in the guise of the law enforcement,” she added.
On Tuesday, Pimentel filed Senate Resolution 736, also seeking to probe Baltazar’s death at the hands of police.
READ: Navotas police chief relieved, faces admin complaint over 17-year-old killing
READ: Navotas police chief, 11 more cops face charges over teen’s slay
Pimentel cited that under the revised operational procedures of the PNP, use of firearms is only justified if the offender poses imminent danger of causing death or injury to the police officer or other persons.
“A policeman is never justified in using unnecessary force or in treating the offender with wanton violence, or in resorting to dangerous means when the arrest could be affected otherwise,” he said.
Pimentel said the use of firearms by the six policemen that led to Baltazar’s death was unjustified.
The officers involved have already been relieved and are facing homicide complaints.
