The Philippine National Police – Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) on Friday recommended the suspension for up to 59 days of more than 20 policemen in connection with the death of teenager Jemboy Baltazar.
PNP-IAS inspector general Alfegar Triambulo said the suspension covered some personnel who failed to preserve the crime scene and conduct ballistic and paraffin tests on the cops involved in the actual operation.
Triambulo said those suspended were for the second batch of administrative cases filed against certain police officers.
The suspension also includes the eight policemen already found guilty of grave irregularity in the performance of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
They were earlier recommended for dismissal from service by the PNP-IAS, which was eventually approved by the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
Two policemen who served as investigators in the case were recommended for a 30-day suspension due to the lapses in their probe.
Baltazar was shot dead last August 2 while on his way to go fishing by Navotas City policemen who were allegedly chasing a shooting suspect in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran.
A companion of Baltazar said they were preparing their boat when a policeman ordered them to get off and they reportedly tried to give themselves up, but the police officers allegedly kept on shooting, prompting Baltazar to dive into the water.
The police later claimed it was a case of mistaken identity.
Some of the six cops who were initially reported to be involved in the incident said in their affidavits that they fired shots into the water and that they did not intend to hit Baltazar.
Northern Police District (NPD) chief Brig. Gen. Rizalito Gapas earlier said the investigation conducted by Navotas City police on Baltazar’s death was “not exhaustive.”
Forensic pathologist, Dr. Raquel Fortun said autopsy results showed that Baltazar also had a gunshot wound in his right hand, indicating that he tried to defend himself.
The autopsy indicated that Baltazar was hit twice, on the head with an entry wound behind the ear and an exit wound on the nose, while the other shot hit him in the right hand.
Death certificate manifested that Baltazar’s cause of death was due to a bullet wound in the head, as well as asphyxia from drowning.