MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office has approved the dismissal from service of eight police officers involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode Baltazar in Navotas City last month, an NCRPO official said yesterday.
NCRPO chief Brig. Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. signed on Sept. 13 a resolution approving the dismissal of two police officials and six policemen over Baltazar’s death, according to NCRPO spokesperson Lt. Col. Eunice Salas.
The dismissal is based on the recommendation of the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service, which investigated the killing.
In the 10-page resolution, Nartatez said there is “substantial evidence” to hold the eight policemen administratively liable for the killing of Baltazar.
Captains Mark Joseph Carpio and Luisito dela Cruz were found liable for grave neglect of duty.
Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Balais Jr.; Staff Sergeants Antonio Bugayong Jr., Gerry Maliban and Niko Pines Esquilon; Corporal Edmard Jake Blanco and Patrolman Benedict Mangada were deemed liable for grave irregularity in the performance of duty and conduct unbecoming of a police officer.
Charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide have also been filed against the six policemen.
Baltazar’s family has filed a murder complaint against 19 police officers, including the eight who were ordered dismissed.
The lawmen mistook Baltazar for a murder suspect they had been pursuing and shot at him and his friend as the teen was cleaning a boat near his home.
‘Kotong’ cops axed
Nartatez also approved the dismissal of five Manila Police District (MPD) officers accused of extorting P40,000 from a computer shop owner in Sampaloc, Manila in July.
They were identified as Staff Sergeants Ryan Tagle Paculan and Jan Erwin Santiago Isaac; Corporal Jonmark Gonzales Dabucol and Patrolmen Jeremiah Sesma Pascual and Jhon Lester Reyes Pagar, all assigned with the MPD District Police Intelligence Operations Unit.
The police officers, who were in civilian clothes, reportedly broke into the computer shop and introduced themselves as police officers who were conducting an operation against online gambling.