The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Thursday stressed that the officers involved have previously admitted their mistake in the death of a male teenager who they mistook for a suspect during a recent pursuit operation in Navotas City.
NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that there was no cover-up for Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar's killing and that it was solely a fallacy on the part of the cops, and he promised that justice would be served to the victim.
On Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan, chief of the Philippine National Police Public Information Office, said that the policemen composed of an executive master sergeant, three staff sergeants, two corporals, and one patrolman involved in the event are now facing administrative and criminal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
Citing the Navotas City police report, Maranan said that the officers conducted a chase operation on August 2 in response to a fatal shooting when they came across Baltazar, who was then on board a boat.
In their statement, they ordered Baltazar and his buddy to surrender; however, he allegedly jumped into the river, forcing law enforcement to open fire, which led to his death.
Later on, the police officers revealed that the man they were looking for was not Baltazar but rather Reynaldo Bolivar.
With the fatal incident, Nartatez stated that the NCRPO will increase programs to continue educating their employees, particularly on rules of engagement and patrolling, in order to avoid future events.
Meanwhile, the Philippine National Police's (PNP) Internal Affairs Service (IAS) Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo stated that the inquiry into the mistaken identity issue has started and that the recommendation will be released in the first week of September.
Triambulo stated that the officers involved will be required to file a counteraffidavit, and the recommendation will be forwarded to the NCRPO for approval.
