Amid renewed worries about police behavior, the passing of 17-year-old Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar has ignited fury and calls for responsibility. Baltazar was allegedly killed by six Navotas policemen on August 2, a tragedy that has drawn comparisons to the case of Kian Delos Santos, another teenager who fell victim to law enforcement.
Caloocan Bishop and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), Pablo Virgilio David, did not mince his words as he addressed the situation during a funeral mass. “Alam natin lahat na ang nangyari kay Jemboy ay nangyari na rin sa mas kilalang biktima na mistaken identity si Kian Delos Santos at nakapangingilabot isipin na pinatay siya sa mismong araw na ito,” he said, emphasizing that Baltazar’s death was not an accident but an act of murder.
The bishop’s words reflect the sentiment of many who see this incident as indicative of a larger problem within the Philippine police force. “Hindi po reckless imprudence with homicide ang tawag sa ganyan murder period murder period,” he stressed.
Jemboy’s funeral procession, held on August 16, witnessed the presence of family, friends, and strangers alike, all united in their call for justice. The tragic similarity between his case and that of Kian Delos Santos is a stark reminder of the ongoing issues with police accountability in the country.
The circumstances of Jemboy’s death paint a grim picture. While cleaning his boat with a friend near their home on August 2, they were confronted by Navotas City policemen from the Philippine National Police (PNP). Despite posing no immediate threat, the cops opened fire, tragically ending Jemboy’s life.
The police’s initial narrative that Jemboy had jumped into the river before being shot was later contradicted by his family. They asserted that he fell into the water after being hit by gunfire. Shockingly, it was revealed that Jemboy was not even the intended target of the police operation. The six policemen involved admitted their mistake, stating that they mistakenly identified him as a murder suspect they were chasing.
Forensic analysis conducted by Dr. Raquel Fortun, believed by many as the country’s most trusted forensic pathologist, further revealed the heartbreaking truth. Jemboy’s cause of death was attributed to brain injuries, with drowning listed as a contributing factor. Dr. Fortun also highlighted the possibility that Jemboy could have survived if he hadn’t fallen into the water, as his injuries were not immediately fatal.
The public outcry over this incident has sparked conversations about the need for a comprehensive overhaul and reform of the police force in the Philippines. As citizens demand justice for Jemboy and accountability for the officers involved, the case is shedding light on deeper systemic issues that require urgent attention.
The tragic demise of Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar serves as a painful reminder that the Philippines’ police force is in dire need of reform. While the loss of young lives in such circumstances is heart-wrenching, it also fuels a growing movement for change and accountability within the country’s law enforcement agencies.
The Daily Netizen 