Risa seeks Senate probe into Navotas shooting

By Macon Ramos-Araneta

SEN. Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said she will file a resolution asking for a Senate investigation into the killing of Jemboy Baltazar during a police drug operation in Navotas.

Hontiveros said she will file the Senate resolution on this issue to reveal a “coverup operations” which “appeared to insult the integrity” of the Philippine National

Police (PNP and the people. She also welcomed the decision of the PNP-IAS to file administrative charges against the officers, including the Navotas police chief who reportedly covered up the involvement of officers in the death of Baltazar.

Hontiveros however said while this development is a first step toward accountability, removing the officers from their posts is “not justice.” She said it is appall- ing that at least 11 police officers did an apparent “overkill” in the fatal shooting of the 17-year-old boy.

“Is it standard procedure for police officers to shoot on sight and not even attempt arrest?” Hontiveros said.

She likewise urged the Ombudsman and Department of Justice to further investigate the Navotas police chief and police officers for obstruction of justice.

“You can see the strategy of the lawyers of the accused in case number one was really to have the only standing case with the standing warrant of arrests dismissed by settling with the families,” he added.