Jemboy’s parents hit court ruling

MANILA, Philippines — The mother of slain Navotas teenager Jemboy Baltazar decried the Navotas Regional Trial Court (RTC)’s ruling on the five former police officers involved in her son’s death.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros presented in a press briefing yesterday Rodaliza, who broke down as she recalled the ruling of Navotas RTC Branch 286 Judge Pedro Dabu Jr. convicting only one – former S/Sgt. Gerry Maliban – for causing the death of her 17-year-old son.

“Only one cop will be jailed and only for four years. The others will be set free. Is that the value of my son’s life?” Rodaliza said in tears.

“I hope no more parent will suffer the same way we did losing our son,” she added, vowing to seek justice.

Jemboy’s father Jessie said the fight is not yet over to hold the police officers accountable.

Hontiveros said the decision convicting only one former police officer of homicide and four others of the lesser crime of illegal discharge of firearms “reflects the culture of impunity in the country.”

Lawyer Ansheline Bacudio, from the rights group IDEALS (Initiatives for Dialogue and Empowerment through Alternative Legal Services), said they would seek all legal remedies to get a graver conviction for the teenager’s killing.

Navotas police chief Col. Mario Cortes ordered the city police substation 4 under Capt. Ivan Rinquejo to ensure that Baltazar’s relatives are safe from harm.

“We are ready to ensure their safety 24/7,” Cortes said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said he has ordered a review of court records.

“We will do everything so the results will be reversed,” he said. – Emmanuel Tupas, Janvic Mateo