Navotas police chief axed over teen’s slay

MANILA, Philippines — Navotas police chief Col. Allan Umipig has been sacked from his post for his alleged failure to supervise the operation that killed 17-year-old Jerhode Baltazar in what authorities said was a case of mistaken identity.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. ordered the relief of Umipig as Baltazar was laid to rest at the La Loma Cemetery in Caloocan City yesterday.

“He failed to supervise the conduct of police operation and corresponding investigation. Hence, he is liable under the doctrine of command responsibility,” Nartatez said.

Nartatez also approved the filing of an administrative complaint against Umipig.

Also relieved from their posts were Cpt. Juanito Arabejo, who heads the Navotas police station investigation and detective management section, and SIDMS chief clerk Chief M/Sgt. Aurelito Galvez.

Arabejo and Galvez are facing complaints for simple neglect of duty for failure to subject the police officers involved in the shooting to a paraffin test as well as collect, preserve and record evidence.

Nartatez also sacked Captains Mark Joseph Carpio, Luisito de la Cruz and Luis Rufo; Executive M/Sgt. Jose Elizalde Oriendo; Staff Sergeants Rondell Sauza, Johnvir Tagacay, Melvin Napay, Mervin Villanueva, Rolan Orbita, Kenneth Amangan, Jorge Boco Jr. and Ever Layco, and Corporals Aldrin Pascual and Mark Joseph Quillan for failure to render assistance to Baltazar.

Six other police officers allegedly involved in Baltazar’s killing were relieved from their posts and charged with reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.

Internal Affairs Service inspector general Alfegar Triambulo on Tuesday recommended Umipig’s relief after the IAS probe showed that the Navotas police chief instructed the leader of the operatives to exclude from their reports the names of 11 officers who were involved in Baltazar’s shooting.

Nartatez said he ordered Umipig’s relief based on the recommendation of Northern Police District director Brig. Gen. Rizalito Gapas who supervised the probe into Baltazar’s murder.

Speaking to reporters in a phone interview, Umipig said he respected the decision of higher-ups, adding he also welcomed the investigation on the alleged lapses he and his subordinates committed.

While waiting for his replacement, Umipig led police officers in securing Baltazar’s funeral procession from the teenager’s house to the San Lorenzo Parish where a mass was held, and up to the La Loma Cemetery where the boy was buried.

Umipig said he was the one who initiated the filing of criminal charges against his own police officers.

On IAS allegations of a cover-up after 11 police officers were not included in the charge sheet, Umipig said it was the judgment call of the policemen’s team leader.

He said the 11 were initially not included as they were not in the immediate vicinity of the area where Baltazar was killed.

Umipig insisted that he never instructed the exclusion of the names of the other police officers.

‘Murder, not homicide’

The killing of Baltazar was not a case of homicide but murder.

This was how Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines president and Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David described Baltazar’s death at the hands of police officers.

“That’s not reckless imprudence with homicide. Ang tawag sa ganyan ay murder, period,” David said in his homily during the mass held for Baltazar.

Senate probe

Sen. Risa Hontiveros is seeking a Senate inquiry into the death of Baltazar.

“I will file a resolution urging the Senate to look into the incident so that the cover-up operations that seem to insult the integrity of the PNP and especially the people are revealed,” Hontiveros said.

Baltazar’s burial coincided with the death anniversary of Kian delos Santos, who was killed by law enforcers during a drug sting in 2017.

Hontiveros called on the ombudsman and the Department of Justice to probe Umipig after he allegedly attempted to cover up the involvement of officers. — Cecille Suerte-Felipe