PNP looking to improve operation procedures after the deaths of Baltazar, Ompad
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 27) — Philippine National Police spokesperson PCol Jean Fajardo on Sunday said they were looking into improving operational procedures following the death of minors Jemboy Baltazar in Navotas and John Francis Ompad in Rizal at the hands of police officers.
“Pagkatapos ng nangyari doon sa Navotas that led to death of alias Jemboy ay nagpatawag na po ng pagpupulong at nagsasagawa po ng series of meetings para reviewhin 'yung existing police operational procedure kung saan dapat pa i-improve," said Fajardo. "Bahagi ng ginagawang review ay paano mapapanagot 'yung mga commanders sa kamalian at misdemeanors ng kanilang mga tao na under sa kanila.”
[Translation: After what happened in Navotas that led to the death of alias Jemboy, we have called for a meeting and are holding a series of meetings to review existing police operational procedures which should be improved. Part of the review is how to hold the commanders accountable for the wrongdoings and the misdemeanors of those under them.]
RELATED: 6 Navotas cops relieved from post, face homicide complaints for fatal shooting of minor
Ompad’s death came a few weeks following the death of Baltazar.
According to reports, police flagged down Ompad’s older brother, John Ace, who was riding a motorcycle. However, instead of stopping, John Ace zoomed past the police which resulted in a chase.
Upon reaching their home, John Ace allegedly threw his helmet at the police who fired a gun in retaliation, hitting John Francis as he opened the door for his older brother. John Francis later died at the hospital. He was 15 years old.
The Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs is expected to come out with a resolution on the unjust killing of the two minors.
The PNP said they will fully cooperate with the Senate in its hearings and will review police procedures to prevent these kinds of incidents from happening again.
"Sakaling magpapatawag po ng hearing para i-tackle yung issue sa Rodriguez, Rizal, gaya ng dati, PNP will fully cooperate sa gagawing investigation at open naman po tayo sa mga ganitong investigation. Wala tayong itatago sa totoong nangyari at yun ang ilalahad natin sa Senado,” said Fajardo.
[Translation: Should a hearing be called to tackle the issue in Rodriguez, Rizal, as always, the PNP will fully cooperate with the investigation and we are open to these probes. We will not hide anything about what really happened and we will reveal all to the Senate.]
