Netizens express fury over the lenient penalties issued to police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a teenager in Navotas, a case that has reignited debates on justice, police brutality, and the state of law enforcement in the Philippines.

In a case that has stirred public outcry and renewed scrutiny of police conduct, a Navotas court handed down lighter penalties to police officers involved in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar, with only one officer found guilty of the lesser charge of homicide.

Navotas City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 286 convicted Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide, rather than the murder charge filed against him and five other officers, Rappler reported.

Maliban’s sentence of 4 to 6 years in prison pales in comparison to the potential 40-year sentence for murder.

Additionally, he was ordered to pay P50,000 for moral and civil damages. Four other officers received sentences of 4 months in prison for illegal discharge of firearms, while Police Staff Sergeant Antonio Bugayong Jr. was acquitted.

The tragic incident occurred on August 2, 2023, when Baltazar was pursued and fatally shot by local police officers.

The then-local city police chief later admitted a lapse in protocol, acknowledging the absence of a warning before firing at Baltazar, who turned out to be a mistaken target. Charges were filed against the six officers on August 28, 2023.

The swift resolution of Baltazar’s case contrasts with the lengthy trial of Kian delos Santos, whose killing in 2017 resulted in the conviction of three police officers after over a year of legal proceedings.

However, the cases of Baltazar’s friends, Daniel Soria and John Rey Basie, who were killed in September and October 2023, respectively, remain unsolved.

Soria was murdered by identified assailants in Malabon, while Basie narrowly escaped death during the same incident that claimed Baltazar’s life.

Tragically, Basie was found dead a month later with a gunshot wound to the head, mirroring the circumstances of Baltazar’s killing.

Baltazar’s death has reignited concerns over police conduct, particularly in the context of former President Rodrigo Duterte’s controversial war on drugs, which faces scrutiny at the International Criminal Court. Details surrounding Baltazar’s killing, including the alleged use of warning shots instead of prescribed protocol and the involvement of a police officer in coercing false testimony, have further fueled public outrage.

Forensic examinations conducted by Dr. Raquel Fortun revealed drowning as a contributory cause of Baltazar’s death, prompting questions about the circumstances surrounding the retrieval of his body.

A Senate hearing led by Senator Risa Hontiveros exposed additional discrepancies in the handling of the case, raising doubts about the initial filing of charges against the officers.

Despite promises of law enforcement reform by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Baltazar’s case underscores lingering issues of impunity and accountability within the Philippine National Police.

The verdict has left many dissatisfied, with netizens taking to social media to voice their outrage.

One Facebook user lamented, “Life was taken, and yet the maximum sentence is only 6 years… There’s no proper justice in the Philippines!”

Others questioned the classification of the crime, with one commenting, “Is this what you call justice? Did the victim show any resistance? This is why the powerful and wealthy don’t want the ICC to intervene because even here, you can see what kind of justice we have.”

Baltazar’s killing has sparked renewed scrutiny of police conduct, particularly in light of allegations of tampering with evidence and false testimonies.

The incident has underscored concerns about impunity and the need for accountability within law enforcement agencies.

Despite promises of reform by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Baltazar’s case serves as a reminder of the challenges in achieving meaningful change in the country’s justice system.

Timeline: The Tragic Death of Jemboy Baltazar

August 2, 2023

• Around 1:30 pm, Jemboy Baltazar and his friend are cleaning their fishing boat in the river near their home in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran, Navotas City.
• Police from the Navotas City Philippine National Police (PNP) arrive at the scene. Startled, Jemboy jumps into the river while his friend remains in the boat. Shots are fired by the police.
• Contradicting police accounts, Jemboy’s sister Jessa claims her brother did not jump off the boat. She alleges that police fired directly at Jemboy and his friend.
• It is later discovered that Jemboy was not the intended target of the police operation, which was aimed at suspects involved in a shooting incident.

August 5, 2023

• Forensic pathologist Dr. Raquel Fortun conducts an examination of Jemboy’s body to determine the cause of death.

August 7, 2023

• Jemboy’s remains are returned to his family in Navotas, and his wake begins in front of their house.

August 9, 2023

• Navotas City police chief announces the relief of the six officers involved in Jemboy’s killing. They are detained at the Navotas City Police Station pending further investigation.
• The Department of Migrant Workers announces plans to repatriate Jemboy’s mother, who works overseas, and provides financial assistance for funeral expenses.

August 10, 2023

• Jemboy’s mother returns to the Philippines and attends her son’s wake.
• Administrative action is taken against the officers involved, and an investigation is launched by the Commission on Human Rights.

August 11, 2023

• Navotas City police chief confirms administrative measures against the officers involved and announces that charges have been reduced to reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
• Dr. Raquel Fortun releases findings indicating Jemboy’s death was caused by gunshot wounds, with drowning as a contributory factor.

August 13, 2023

• Navotas police visit Dr. Fortun to obtain her autopsy report.

August 14, 2023

• Navotas police reveal that body cameras worn during the incident were turned off, eliminating potential evidence.
• Six officers are named in connection with Jemboy’s killing, facing charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

August 15, 2023

• Inspector General Alfegar Triambulo orders administrative action against Navotas City police chief for alleged misconduct.

August 16, 2023

• Jemboy Baltazar is laid to rest at La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan City.
• Senators Pimentel and Hontiveros file a resolution calling for an inquiry into Jemboy’s killing.