Murder case filed vs cops over Jemboy Baltazar’s death

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, October 2) — Six police officers are facing a murder case over the Aug. 2 killing of 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar in Navotas.

Named in the document filed at the Navotas Regional Trial Court on Monday are Police Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Balais, Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban, Police Staff Sergeant Antonio Bugayong, Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Nikko Esquilon, Police Corporal Edmard Blanco, and Patrolman Benedict Mangada.

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The cops were looking for an alleged murder suspect and were told the suspect was on the boat Baltazar and his friend Mario were cleaning.

They then opened fire at Baltazar even though they had yet to verify the target. Police later realized it was a case of mistaken identity.

Some of the cops involved in the incident said in their affidavits that they fired shots into the water and that they did not intend to hit Baltazar.

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