Human Rights groups and concerned individuals expressed disappointment with the Navotas Regional Trial Court’s (RTC) judgment regarding the police officers involved in the killing of 17-year-old Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar.

Branch 286 of the Navotas Regional Trial Court found one of the six police officers guilty of homicide on Tuesday.

Staff Sergeant Gerry Sabate Maliban was sentenced to up to six years and four months in prison, as well as a civil culpability and moral damages fine of P100,000.

Four others received four-month sentences after being found guilty of unlawful firearm discharge. M/Sgt. Roberto Balais Jr., S/Sgt. Nikko Esquilon, Cpl. Edmark Jake Blanco and Pat. Benedict Mangada had already served their sentence during the trial and granted release by the court.

S/Sgt. Antonio Bugayong, the sixth defendant, was found not guilty.

“We’re expecting a conviction but what happened was the opposite. One policeman was convicted and meted only four years in prison. He will eventually regain his freedom as if my son was not killed,” Jemboy’s mother Rodaliza Baltazar said.

According to Jessie Baltazar, Jemboy’s father, the court’s decision was not appropriate given the nature of the offense.

“It’s very painful on our part, our family is not happy with the decision. I lost my son, who was helping me earn a living,” he said.

Sen. Risa Hontiveros objects to the police officers’ “lighter” sentences for Baltazar’s murder.

“The five out of six cops getting a slap on the wrist for Jemboy’s tragic death does not honor his memory. He was just a kid!” The senator said in a statement.

Former Justice Secretary Leila De Lima also stated that the court’s ruling fell short of giving justice to Baltazar.

“The light penalty for homicide imposed and only on one of the Navotas cops who shot and killed Jemboy Baltazar, with the others being merely slapped on the hand with illegal discharge of [a] firearm, does not convince us that justice has been served,” De Lima said in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

“We grieve with the family of Jemboy and join their call for accountability. Indiscriminate killings by state agents will continue unless those responsible are punished with stiff penalties. Buhay ng tao ang pinag-uusapan natin,” Atty. Chel Diokno of Free Legal Assistance Group (FLAG) said in a post on X.

In a separate statement, the National Union of People’s Lawyers (NUPL) stated that accountability for police officers remains a “tedious challenge” in the Philippines.

“Victory feels hollow despite the conviction of one policeman in the case of Jerhode ‘Jemboy’ Baltazar because of how little the loss of life seems to be appreciated in our legal system,” NUPL’s statement said.

“The decision of the Navotas trial court, while well-grounded on facts and law, is difficult to accept when the Baltazar family not only lost a child and their whole future and when the policemen can go back to normal now and within the next six years,” it added.

📷: Jessa Tolentino Baltazar