QUEZON CITY, (PIA) – Senator Win Gatchalian strongly denounced the clear misconduct of police officers that led to the wrongful death of 17-year-old Navotas resident Jerhod “Jemboy” Baltazar. 

This came into light after the Senator found out that the policemen involved in the incident were not also wearing body cameras according to Navotas City Police Chief Col. Allan Umipig of the Northern Police District. 

“Hindi katanggap-tanggap na napagkamalan na ngang kriminal ang isang inosenteng bata, hindi pa sumunod sa panuntunan ang mga sangkot na pulis. Nakakalungkot at nakakagalit na may isang buhay ang nawala, may pamilyang naulila, at may pangarap na nagwakas dahil sa pagkakamali sa operasyon ng mismong inaasahan nating nagtatanggol sa atin (It is not acceptable that an innocent child has been mistaken for a criminal and that the the involved policemen did not follow the standard protocol. The loss of life is disheartening because of the family who has been bereaved and the dream that had to end due to the misconduct of those who we rely on to protect us)," said Senator Gatchalian. 

Senator Gatchalian introduced and authored the Bill No. 1057 or the Police On-Body Cam Act in the 19th Congress to ensure the protection of human rights between the law enforcement officers and the public during the conduct of police operations. 

The proposed legislation primarily mandates the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and other law enforcement agents involved in anti-illegal drug and criminality police operations to use on-body cameras for proper documentation. 

“The function of the on-body camera will be two-pronged: protect the public against police misconduct by improving law enforcement accountability and help protect our policemen from false and uncorroborated accusations of abuse,” Gatchalian explained. 

Law enforcement agencies are also responsible for the establishment of protocols and standards guiding the responsible use of body-worn cameras. 

For instance, these cameras should not be turned off until a certain operation is completed to ensure that the activities will be recorded in full without manipulation. 

In March 2018, the Philippine National Police (PNP) issued a Memorandum Circular No. 2018-009 to provide for the operational guidelines on the utilization of body-worn cameras. 

“Patuloy nating isusulong na maging batas ang pagsusuot ng mga pulis ng body-worn cameras sa kanilang mga operasyon. Sa ganitong paraan, mababantayan natin kung patas at makatarungan ang mga operasyon ng mga alagad ng batas (We will continue to push for the institutionalization of using body-worn cameras among the police force during operations. In this way, we can oversee if the law enforcement operations are rational and just),” Gatchalian added. 

Earlier, PNP Chief PGen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. assured the bereaved family of Jemboy that the primary law enforcement agency of the country will remain committed in addressing the accountability issues in the said incident. 

The PNP condoles with the victm's family. We recognize the pain they are enduring and we are committed to providing necessary assistance. We vow to ensure that justice will be served the soonest time,” said Acorda. 

"These incidents are being treated with the utmost seriousness, and comprehensive investigations are already underway to ensure that justice is not only served but also that the individuals responsible are held fully accountable,” he added. 

To date, a case of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide has already been filed against the involved uniformed personnel. The PNP also filed an administrative case of Grave Neglect of Duty in relation to Command Responsibility against the two Police Commissioned Officers. (PIA-NCR)