6 ex-cops in Jemboy’s slay surrender

MANILA, Philippines — Six former Navotas police officers wanted for the killing of teenager Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar surrendered to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) on Wednesday.

Staff Sergeants Gerry Maliban, Antonio Bugayong Jr. and Nikko Pines Esquilon; Executive M/ Sgt. Roberto Balais Jr., Cpl. Edmard Jade Blanco and Pat. Benedict Mangada turned themselves in to the CIDG field office in Lucena City, Quezon at around 5 p.m.

They were in civilian clothes when they surrendered to authorities, according to CIDG chief Maj. Gen. Romeo Caramat Jr.

Caramat said CIDG operatives showed the suspects a copy of a warrant of arrest for murder issued against them by a Navotas court.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief publicist Col. Jean Fajardo said one of the suspects coordinated with a relative, who knew a CIDG member in Lucena, for their surrender.

“As soon as the arrest warrant came out, they coordinated with their lawyer and decided to surrender to the CIDG,” Fajardo said at a press briefing.

She said the PNP no longer has jurisdiction over the suspects as they had been dismissed from the police service for grave offenses.

The National Capital Region Police Office had affirmed the dismissal of the suspects for grave irregularity in the performance of duty and for conduct unbecoming of a police officer.

The suspects surrendered after Judge Pedro Dabu Jr. of the Navotas Regional Trial Court Branch 286 ordered their arrest in connection with the murder of Baltazar on Aug. 2.

No bail was recommended for their temporary freedom.

The suspects initially gathered in Parañaque City and proceeded to Lucena when the warrant for their arrest came out, police said.

The suspects underwent booking procedures and documentation. They will remain in CIDG custody while waiting for a commitment order from the court, according to Fajardo.

The six were among the police officers who took part in an operation that led to the death of Baltazar, whom they had mistaken for shooting suspect Reynaldo Bolivar.

A total of 22 Navotas police officers have been relieved over the killing of Baltazar. — Ed Amoroso