Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 29) — Another policeman involved in the slay of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar was ordered detained in the Senate following a contempt citation during a committee hearing on Tuesday.
Relieved Navotas City Police Station Investigation and Detective Management Section head PCpt. Juanito Arabejo was held in contempt after denying that he received an order from former Navotas City Police chief PCol. Allan Umipig to conduct a paraffin test on the six cop suspects in the murder of Baltazar.
\”Ilang beses ko pong inutusan ang chief investigation section at ang investigator on case na i-paraffin test ‘yung mga suspect. Nadinig ‘yan ng ibang officers. Ilang beses kami nag-case conference,\” said Umipig before the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs.
[Translation: I have told the chief investigation section and the investigator on case several times to subject the suspects to a paraffin test. Other officers are aware of that because we also had case conferences in the past.]
The National Capital Region Police Office earlier ordered the relief and filing of complaints for neglect of duty against Arabejo for failing to subject the suspects to paraffin examination, and to preserve and record the evidence.
Arabejo said the suspects have already admitted their involvement in the fatal shooting of Baltazar. Hence, only a ballistic examination was conducted.
\”That was based on our sound judgment and in good faith, considering that the direct testimony of the eyewitnesses is sufficient to establish the guilt of these six suspects,\” he said.
The former Navotas City Police investigation unit head insisted that there was no such order from Umipig to have the suspects undergo a paraffin test.
But PCpt. Mark Anthony Mondejar testified that Arabejo was present in a meeting last Aug. 3 when the need for a paraffin test was discussed.
\”Kasama po siya sa meeting po, sir. Pinatawag din ni COP (chief of police) ‘yan, sir. Nagkaroon po kami ng emergency meeting noong Aug. 3, tungkol po sa kaso na ‘yan. Kasama po sa binanggit doon, ‘yung standard protocol, kasama ‘yung paraffin test na binanggit po,\” said Mondejar.
[Translation: He was present during the meeting. He was called by the COP, sir. We had an emergency meeting last August 3 regarding the case. Among the things mentioned was standard protocol. The paraffin test was mentioned.]
Arabejo later said that he received a message from Umipig regarding such an order on Aug. 10.
\”Nangyari po ito, Aug. 10 na po ito, which is highly impossible na po mag-request ng paraffin sa mga suspects, dapat within 72 hours lang po,\” he said.
[Translation: This happened last Aug. 10, which is highly impossible to subject the suspects to a paraffin test, as it should only be done within 72 hours.]
Senator Risa Hontiveros later made a motion to cite Arabejo for lying about receiving an order from Umipig.
