The National Bureau of Investigation was directed by Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla to secure the family of Jemboy Baltazar, the 17-year-old who was killed by policemen in Navotas after he was mistaken for a suspect.

Remulla said the help of the NBI was requested to secure the family of Baltazar along with some witness protection personnel.

The DoJ chief said the move is part and parcel of a concerted effort to help those in trouble to assure them that if they file cases, the government is there to help them and will not leave them hanging.

To recall, Baltazar was on his way to fish when he was shot and killed by six Navotas City policemen in Barangay NBBS Kaunlaran on 2 August.

The erring policemen led by Police Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Balais Jr., Police Staff Sergeant Gerry Maliban, Police Staff Sergeant Antonio Bugayong, Police Staff Sergeant Nikko Esquilon, Police Corporal Edmark Jake Blanco, and Patrolman Benedict Mangada surrendered to authorities last week.

The six turned themselves in to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Lucena City in Quezon after the Navotas City Regional Trial Court Branch 286 ordered their arrest.

The six are facing murder charges and are thus not entitled to bail.

Remulla's move was borne out of the continuing threats being received by the family of Jemboy.

He said that right from the start there were efforts to suppress the case so as not to reach murder.

Also, Remulla said many individuals are hemming and hawing while some witnesses disappeared. There was also one witness who died.

As far as Remulla is concerned the problem is big and they saw that when the murder charges are filed the family may get the heat thus the decision to secure them early on.

Aside from the security that will be provided, the government will extend financial support and other kinds of support to the family.

Based on the death certificate, the cause of death of Baltazar was a gunshot wound to the head as well as asphyxia from drowning.

Autopsy results revealed that Baltazar also had a gunshot wound on his right hand, indicating that he tried to defend himself.

Baltazar was hit twice as per the autopsy result, on the head with an entry wound behind the ear and an exit wound on the nose, while the other shot hit him on the right hand.