Twenty-seven personnel of Navotas City Police Substation 4 have been relieved from their posts after some cops killed a 17-year-old boy due to mistaken identity, the Northern Police District (NPD) confirmed to GMA News Online on Friday.
According to a report by Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB, the police substation only retained personnel with essential administrative duties.
The relieved personnel will undergo retraining and refresher courses.
On August 2, 17-year-old Jemboy Baltazar was aboard a small vessel and on his way to go fishing when he was shot and killed by Navotas City cops in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran.
A friend who was with him said they were preparing their boat when a policeman ordered them to get off.
They reportedly tried to give themselves up, but the cops allegedly kept on shooting.
It was at this point that Baltazar dove into the water.
Some of the six involved policemen said in their affidavits that they fired shots into the water and that they did not intend to hit the teenager.
The six policemen underwent inquest proceedings in connection with the complaint for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide.
They are also facing administrative charges for grave misconduct and serious irregularities in the performance of duty and have been relieved from their posts.
The cops involved are currently detained at the Navotas Police Headquarters. — VBL, GMA Integrated News
