The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has lauded the filing by the Department of Justice (DOJ) of a murder case in court against six Navotas City policemen in the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar last Aug. 2.
The Navotas City regional trial court (RTC) has ordered the arrest of PSSg. Gerry S. Maliban, PSSg. Antonio B. Bugayong Jr., PEMS. Roberto D. Balais Jr., PSSg. Nikko PInes C. Esquillon, PCpl. Edmar Jade S. Blanco, and Pat. Benedict D. Mangada.
The accused policemen have surrendered to the Philippine National Police’s Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP-CIDG) which took them into its custody.
In a statement, the CHR said it will monitor closely the murder case against the six policemen and provide support when needed in ensuring justice for the victim's family.
Published reports stated that Baltazar was fishing when he was shot dead in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran in Navotas City. The policemen claimed they were conducting follow-up operations against robbers when they mistook the victim as one of the suspects.
"The senseless death of Jemboy underscores the importance of holding law enforcement agents accountable for their actions to curb violations and abuses that breach fundamental rights," the CHR said in a statement.
With this "swift development" in Baltazar's case, the CHR is hopeful that his family is now one step further in getting justice while the law enforcement agents will be held accountable for their actions.
"We commend the efforts of the DOJ in conducting a comprehensive review of the case, which has led to the decision to file murder charge against the six police officers allegedly involved in the death of Jemboy," the CHR said.
"As the country's national human rights institution, CHR firmly stresses that positions of authority, including law enforcers, are not above the law. Those who committed alleged violations must be held responsible considering that they made an oath to serve in accordance with the rules and standards required of police officers," it added.
It expressed hopes that the DOJ's legal action will prove to be a deterrent for law enforcement agents to commit human rights violations in the future, and that it will serve as a message that such acts will not be tolerated in this society.
"The Commission also expects that the case amplifies the importance of abiding with established rules of operations that adhere to human rights based policing to prevent violations that denigrate human rights, especially the utmost right to life," the CHR said.
"We trust that the Philippine National Police will continue to strengthen programs and trainings that will imbue its ranks with renewed commitment to human rights practice and values in the conduct of their duty," it said.