One of the six police personnel involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode "Jemboy" Baltazar was found guilty of homicide on Tuesday, February 27.
According to Edwin Duque's report, Staff Sergeant Gerry Sabate Maliban (IS) was found guilty of homicide by the Navotas Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 286.
Isang pulis na sangkot sa pagpatay kay Jemboy Baltazar, 'guilty' sa homicide; 4 iba pa kulong din, 1 acquitted | RH 23 @edwinduqueRH23#MBCNetworkNews#SamaSamaTayoPilipino
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 27, 2024
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Maliban was meted out with a penalty of up to six years and four months of imprisonment, along with a total of P100,000 in civil and moral damages.
Meanwhile, four of the cops involved in the issue were found guilty of illegal discharge of firearms:
- Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Dioso Balais Jr.
- Staff Sergeant Nikko Pines Corollo Esquillon (SWAT)
- Corporal Edmark Jake Sorbito Blanco (Sub-station 4)
- Patrolman Benedict Danao Mangada (Sub-station 4)
They were meted out with a penalty of four months and one day of imprisonment.
On the other hand, Staff Sergeant Antonio Balcita Bugayong (Intelligence Service) was acquitted as he had no actual participation at the time of the incident.
Rodaliza Baltazar, Jemboy's mother, was disappointed in RTC's decision. According to her, the penalties were not enough to justify the death of her son.
"Masakit po yung loob ko. Parang wala lang nangyare sa anak ko, parang hindi siya napatay. Isa lang po yung na-convict, si Maliban pero apat na taon lang po. Makakalaya po sila ano ba yung buhay ng anak ko, parang aso lang. Ilang taon lang nilang paghihirapan parang wala silang ginawa," she said while crying.
PANOORIN: Ina ng 'mistaken identity' victim na si Jemboy Baltazar, dismayado sa naging desisyon ng Navotas Regional Trial Court | via @edwinduqueRH23, DZRH News pic.twitter.com/htquALE7pQ
— DZRH NEWS (@dzrhnews) February 27, 2024
