Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Benhur Abalos directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to revisit the level of accountability after the fatal and wrongful killing of the male teen Jerhode "Jemboy" Baltazar by the Navotas City policemen last August 2.
On Thursday, Abalos visited Baltazar’s vigil and vowed justice to the family.
He directed the PNP to review and resolve the flaws in police protocols, including the modes and procedures, and take up the doctrine of command responsibility to check the level of accountability for the guilty officers.
Following the incident, police officials are still pushing to determine how the "lapses in judgment" happened when the PNP implemented new policies on the use of force two years ago during the aftermath of the former President Rodrigo Duterte administration’s war on drugs, resulting in thousands of suspects being killed.
Moreover, PNP Public Information Officer Brig. Gen. Redrico Maranan explained that prioritizing self-preservation and survival, particularly in responding to armed offenders, was normal for the cops during the operation.
However, he further clarified and repeatedly stated that the police officers could use their firearms only as a "last resort," based on the 2021 Revised PNP Police Operational Procedures implemented in September 2021.
In the police manual, it stated in Section 2-5, Use of Firearm During Police Operations, that "the use of firearms is also justified under the doctrines of self-defense, defense of a relative, and defense of a stranger. However, one who resorts to self-defense must face a real threat to his or her life, and the peril sought to be avoided must be actual, imminent, and real."
It further stated, "The police shall not use warning shots during police operations except when the police officer is outnumbered and overpowered and his or her life or limb is in imminent danger."
Meanwhile, the new provisions of the 2021 PNP manual include Section 2-4 Use of Force Policy, which says, "The excessive use of force to arrest or immobilize the suspect during a police operation is prohibited."
With the tragic incident that happened to Baltazar, Gabriela Party-list Rep. Arelene Brosads called on the Commission on Human Rights to conduct an investigation.
Baltazar’s death recalls the appalling death of Kian delos Santos in 2017.
