The bereaved family of Jerhode 'Jemboy' Baltazar slammed the ruling of the court on the six cops accused in the murder of the 17-year old teen last August 2023.
Last Tuesday, February 27, the Navotas City Regional Trial Court convicted PSSgt. Gerry Maliban for homicide, and sentenced him to imprisonment of four to six years.
The court also ordered Maliban to pay Php 50,000 for civil liability, and Php 50,000 for moral damages.
Meanwhile, the court sentenced PEMS Roberto Balais Jr, PSSgt. Nikko Esquillon, PCpl. Edward Blanco, and Patrolman Benedict Mangada to at least four months of imprisonment for illegal discharge of firearms.
The court acquitted PSSgt. Antonio Bugayong for the death of Jerhode.
"Hindi ko matatanggap ang desisyon ng piskal kasi hindi makatarungan ang paghatol nila," said Liza Tolentino, grandmother of Jerhode, in an interview with DZRH.
"Nagulat nga ako kung bakit ganoon ang pasya ng Navotas (Regional Trial Court). Palibhasa ay dahil mahirap lang kami. Walang tutulong sa amin dahil wala kaming pera," Liza added.
Liza fears that the dismissed cops will get back at her family.
Balais, Esquillon, Blanco, and Mangada might no longer face imprisonment since the court ordered jail officials to credit the preventive detention of the four since last October.
"Makakalaya na sila," Liza stressed.
Jemboy died on August 2 after law enforcement units mistook him for a suspect in a murder case, and opened fire on him after the teenager jumped into a river.
The National Capital Region Police Office dismissed the cops involved in the death of Jemboy.
