Mom of Navotas teen killed in police op arrives from Qatar

OWWA Administrator Arnell Ignacio (left) and DMW Undersecretary Bernard Olalia (right) comfort Rodaliza Baltazar (center) as she arrived at the NAIA Terminal 1 from Doha, Qatar on Friday (Aug. 11, 2023). Baltazar’s son, 17-year-old Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar was killed in a police operation in Navotas on August 2 due to a mistaken identity. (Photo: Department of Migrant Workers/Facebook)

MANILA – The mother of 17-year-old Jerhode Jemboy Baltazar, who was killed in a police operation due to mistaken identity in Navotas on Aug. 2, arrived in the country on Friday from Doha, Qatar.

Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) officials met with Rodaliza Baltazar, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), upon her arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 at 10:35 a.m.

In its Facebook page, the DMW said they are finding out what other forms of assistance they may extend to her and her family.

DMW officer-in-charge and Undersecretary Bernard Olalia, along with Undersecretary Hans Cacdac and Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Arnell Ignacio, in an interview with the media, conveyed Baltazar’s request for privacy at this time to mourn the loss of her son, Jemboy.

In an earlier release, Olalia said Baltazar had been in hiding from Qatari authorities and working odd jobs after running away from her employer last year.

She sought the DMW’s assistance after hearing the news about her son’s death.

“Baltazar was located by a DMW team led by Acting MWO-Doha Head Don Albert Pangcog, through her daughter and was able to obtain a final exit clearance after the DMW helped resolve her case at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID),” the DMW said.

Meanwhile, Olalia assured Baltazar and her family of the DMW’s support in their time of grief and loss.

He said that the DMW and OWWA will jointly provide PHP100,000 in financial assistance to the Baltazar family.

The department also shouldered Baltazar’s repatriation, as well as the funeral and burial expenses of her son Jemboy.