Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 11) — The Philippine National Police’s Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) has recommended the dismissal of eight Navotas cops involved in the mistaken shooting of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar and another eight in the looting of a retired teacher’s house in Imus, Cavite.
Acting Public Information Chief and Spokesperson Colonel Jean Fajardo said Monday that the PNP Discipline, Law, and Order Division already received the recommendation for further review, which will then be forwarded to PNP Chief General Benjamin Acorda who makes the final decision.
\”Titingnan kung nasunod po ba ang proseso ng kasong isinampa dito. Final decision si CPNP (PNP chief),\” Fajardo said. \”Kailangan pag-aralan kung tama kaso at dumaan sa proseso. Ayaw natin na ganito ang desisyon pero later on nabaliktad po kasi we failed to observe due process.\”
[Translation: The process of the case filing will be checked. The PNP chief makes the final decision. It is necessary to study if the case is correct and went through the process. We don’t want this to be reversed later on because we failed to observe due process.]
In a resolution released last week, IAS found Executive Master/Sgt. Roberto Balais Jr., Staff Sergeants Antonio Bugayong Jr., Gerry Maliban and Nikko Pines Esquillon; Cpl. Edmard Jake Blanco, and Pat. Benedict Mangada liable for grave irregularity in the performance of duty and for conduct unbecoming of a police officer in connection to the death of Jemboy.
Also found guilty were Captains Mark Joseph Carpio and Luisito de la Cruz, whom the IAS said were liable for grave neglect of duty.
Baltazar was cleaning his fishing boat when he was mistakenly killed by members of Navotas police on August 2.
In relation to the Imus incident, IAS found Senior Master/Sgt. Daisy Diones, Staff Sergeants Jesus Alday, Julius Barbon, and Emil Buna, Corporals Jenerald Cadiang and Lew Amando Antonio; and Patrolmen Reymel Czar Reyes and Rene Mendoza – liable for grave misconduct, grave irregularity in the performance of duty, grave dishonesty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
