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CHR probes killing of teenager by cops; PNP says no whitewashing

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Jauhn Etienne Villaruel and Job Manahan, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2023/life/08/11/2023-baltazar-jemboy-wake-jc-1.jpg"/><figcaption>Coin donations can be seen on the casket of Jemboy Baltazar during his wake in Navotas City on August 10, 2023. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA (UPDATE) — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) on Friday said it was investigating the killing of a 17-year old boy by police officers who mistook him for an escaping suspect.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/08/10/23/charges-filed-vs-navotas-cops-tagged-in-killing-teen">Charges filed vs Navotas cops tagged in killing teen</a></li></ul>&quot;CHR is already conducting an independent motu proprio investigation into the incident. The investigation seeks to ensure accountability for the alleged arbitrary deprivation of life of a boy committed by State agents, particularly by six police officers of Navotas City police,&quot; the CHR said in a statement.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/video/news/08/09/23/teen-killed-by-cops-in-navotas-city-a-case-of-mistaken-identity">17-year-old killed by cops in Navotas City a case of mistaken identity</a></li></ul>The commission expressed its &quot;grave concern&quot; over the incident that happened on Aug. 2 in Navotas City.Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar, 17, was shot by police officers after he supposedly jumped from a boat into the river when he was ordered to surrender.&quot;The boy received fatal shots, then the police later realized he was not the subject of their operation,&quot; the CHR noted.Police officers tagged in the incident were sacked and are now facing administrative and homicide charges.The CHR reminded the police to follow its own protocol on &quot;reasonable responses commensurate to the level of suspect/law offender’s resistance,&quot; adding that &quot;lapses leading to the curtailment of a person&#x27;s life is a grave and irreversible violation of a human right.&quot;CHR hopes that the PNP will continue to live up to its motto &#x27;to serve and protect&#x27; as a duty-bearer for the rights of the people, especially the weak, vulnerable, and marginalized members of the society,&quot; the CHR said.Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Benjamin Acorda on Thursday visited the slain teenager&#x27;s wake. &quot;No less than our Chief PNP ang nagsabi sa pamilya at sinigurado sila na hindi bibigyan ng special treatment itong mga pulis na involved at walang mangyayaring whitewash ito,&quot; PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo said. (Our chief PNP assured the family that the police involved would not get special treatment and no whitewashing would happen.) The PNP eyes resolving within 2 months the administrative cases against the officers involved in the fatal shooting, she said. &quot;Sa ngayon, ang ating chief PNP ay nagbigay na rin ng utos sa concerned directorate para pag-usapan kung ano pa ba ang dapat ma-improve pa sa operational procedure ng PNP,&quot; Fajardo said in a public briefing. (Our PNP chief also ordered concerned directorates to discuss how to improve our operational procedures.)<div>DOJ PROBING INCIDENT</div>The Department of Justice said it was also investigating the case. Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla noted the policemen should have worn body cameras.“Iimbestigahan natin yan, titingnan natin kung ano nangyari kaya lang kasi nga yung standard operating procedures kasi ng police protocol dapat yan well-defined yan,” Remulla said.(We will investigate it and check on what happened. The cops&#x27; standard operating procedures should be well-defined.) “Actually dapat yan may body camera yan kung mayroong operation talaga ang bodycam is really mandatory eh marami kasi hindi sumusunod isa iyan sa mga problema natin talaga maraming ayaw mag-bodycam ayaw sumunod at ito yung nakikita ng Korte Suprema na problema talaga na nangyayari sa atin,” he said.(There should be body cameras if there is an operation because it is mandatory. Many police personnel are not following it and that is one of our problems. The Supreme Court also noted that this has been a problem.) Remulla said he would coordinate with Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos on the matter.He said they were looking at the right approach on police discipline. He said this includes involving the National Police Commission and People’s Law Enforcement Board. &quot;Iba-ibang jurisdiction, marami kaming iniisip na mas magandang approach sa police discipline na marahil mas epektibo. Pinag-iisipan nang husto ang mga yan at darating din tayo dyan sa mas magandang uri ng pagdidisiplina sa ating kapulisan,” Remulla said.(There are various jurisdictions, we are considering many approaches to police discipline which could perhaps be more effective. We will think about it thoroughly.) <div>— With a report from Adrian Ayalin, ABS-CBN News</div>

The commission expressed its 'grave concern' over the incident that happened on Aug. 2 in Navotas City.

CHR probes killing of teenager by cops; PNP says no whitewashing

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CHR probes killing of teenager by cops; PNP says no whitewashing

Jauhn Etienne Villaruel and Job Manahan,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 11, 2023 04:37 PM PHT

|

Updated Aug 11, 2023 09:21 PM PHT

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PNP

Philippine National Police

killings

crime

mistaken identity

CHR

Commission on Human Rights

investigation

ANC

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