The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday assured the public that the investigation into the killing of a 17-year-old male who was mistaken as a suspect in Navotas City will be whitewashed.
PNP spokesperson Police Coronel Jean Fajardo said in an interview that the chief PNP will serve justice for the victim, recognized as Jemboy Baltazar, and that the involved police officers will face a case, specifically an administrative one that would lead to outright dismissal from service.
On August 2, Baltazar was on his way to fish when he was shot and killed by Navotas City cops in barangay NBBS Kaunlaran.
According to the policemen, they mistook the teenager for a suspect in a fatal shooting incident during their follow-up operation.
Some of the six policemen stated in their affidavits that they only fired shots at the water and did not intend to hit Baltazar.
Before the incident, Baltazar was aboard a small vessel and preparing to go fishing when the policemen arrived, surrounded him, and began shooting him.
Fajardo explained that the suspects have undergone inquest proceedings over complaints of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and are now facing administrative cases for grave misconduct and serious irregularity in the performance of duty.
The six policemen have also been relieved of their posts and are detained at the Navotas Police headquarters.
