(File photo)
MANILA – A lawmaker suggested on Friday to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Police National Training Institute (PNTI) to review its Program of Instructions in the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course.
Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa made the statement following the death of 17-year-old Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar who seemed to be a victim of mistaken identity by six police officers assigned in Navotas City.
"The suspects should be charged criminally and administratively and the PNP and PNTI should again reevaluate their Program of Instructions in the Public Safety Basic Recruit Course if the Police Operational Procedures are being taught properly to the new recruits," Dela Rosa said.
"Otherwise, the same incident will happen again in the future," he added,
In an earlier statement, Senate Deputy Minority Leader Risa Hontiveros condemned in the strongest terms the killing of Baltazar and commended at the same time the PNP's immediate action against police officers who were involved in the incident.
However, Hontiveros expressed her discontent on the "reckless imprudence resulting in homicide" case filed against them instead of the proper charge of "homicide".
"Di hamak na mas maliit ang parusa sa reckless imprudence resulting in homicide [imprisonment of up to 4 years and 2 months] kumpara sa homicide [imprisonment of up to 20 years] (The punishment for reckless imprudence resulting in homicide is obviously less than homicide)," she said hoping the justice for Baltazar's death will be served. (PNA)
