Serious Flaw in the Dispensation of Justice

The release of five of the six former policemen charged for the killing of Jerhode “Jemboy” Baltazar in August 2023 is yet another story of disheartenment in the Philippine Justice system. Lighter penalties were imposed by the Navotas Regional Trial Court Branch 286, gravely falling short of bringing justice for the 17 year old boy, who was mistakenly identified and killed without any verbal warning by cops at the river near his home. The policeman who was convicted for homicide will only be serving a four to six-year sentence, despite the fact that he was initially charged with mudrer by the Department of Justice.

This is only one of innumerable cases in our country where there is a serious flaw in the dispensation of justice. It has been a long-standing narrative of the failure of our justice system to hold men in uniform accountable for the abuse of power that has cost many lives. Unless this narrative changes, corruption and abuse within the Philippine National Police will persist, protected as it is with a culture of impunity.

How many more Jemboys need to die for the government to pay serious attention to the structural issues that infirm the pillars of our criminal justice system? A strategic and comprehensive approach to reformation has to be put in place to address this debilitating disease that perpetuates the culture of violence.

TRIVIA:

Felicitations to our CFC Brother Jun Sahagun who is celebrating his birthday on february 29, 2024. Belated greetings likewise to my humble and soft-spoken brother-in-law Architect Edilberto Oreta Cruz who has retired from his active practice and is now spending his time in painting artworks.

Congratulations to Very Reverend Bishop Rex Andrew Alaroon, soon to be installed the next Archbishop of Caceres.

QUOTATION OF THE WEEK:

“ INJUSTICE ANYWHERE IS A THREAT TO JUSTICE EVERYWHERE”

Martin Luther King

FOR OUR WORLD OF LIFE:

“Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne Loving kindness and truth go before You.”

PSALM 89:14