14-8-2023 (MANILA) The body camera worn by the police officer involved in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar was found to be turned off, further complicating the process of identifying those responsible for firing the shots.
In an interview with Radyo5 on Monday, August 14, Navotas police chief Police Colonel Allan Umipig revealed that the officer wearing the body camera failed to activate it during the operation. Umipig expressed his intention to file charges against the officer and launch an investigation into the matter.
Jemboy Baltazar tragically lost his life on August 2 when he was mistakenly identified as a suspect and shot after jumping off a boat in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran.
Umipig stated that their station had a total of seven body-worn cameras. The Philippine National Police had implemented the use of body-worn cameras in 2021 to enhance transparency in police operations, particularly during the execution of warrants.
Had the body camera been activated, the recorded footage could have provided crucial evidence in the case. However, due to the lack of supporting information, the complaint against the six detained policemen has been downgraded from homicide to reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
Two ground commanders are now facing administrative charges. The prosecutor advised that if the officers were to be charged with murder or homicide, solely relying on the testimony of Sonny Boy, who stated that he couldn’t recall or identify the shooter, would not be sufficient. In such a scenario, the case would likely not be accepted, potentially leading to the release of the policemen for further investigation without any detainment.
Regrettably, the incident of body cameras being turned off during police operations is not an isolated occurrence, admitted Umipig. In some cases, law enforcement personnel have cited battery depletion as the reason, necessitating a return to their substations to recharge the devices.
Umipig emphasized that officers are consistently reminded to ensure that body-worn cameras are fully charged and activated during all police operations.
During the interview, Umipig mentioned that they have obtained four additional testimonies from witnesses, without disclosing their identities.
Rodaliza Baltazar, Jemboy’s mother, who is currently working as an overseas Filipino worker in Qatar, swiftly returned to the Philippines upon learning about her son’s tragic death. Speaking to reporters on Friday, August 11, Rodaliza stressed the importance of attaining justice for her son and expressed her desire for the six policemen involved to feel remorse for their actions.