President Rodrigo Duterte is set to fly to Zamboanga to meet officials of the AFP and PNP regarding the incident that led to the death of four soldiers in Jolo, Sulu.
Senator Christopher Go said President Duterte wants to ease the tension between the two parties and to ensure fair investigation. He also aims to boost the morale of soldiers and policemen amid the incident.
“Malungkot, masakit kay Pangulong Duterte. Mahal na mahal po niya ang sundalo, mahal na mahal po niya ang ating kapulisan (The President is sad and it hurts him since he loves both the police and the military),” Go revealed.
“Gustong pumunta ni Pangulo roon para malaman ano ang katotohanan at to calm the situation po (The President wants to go there to find out the truth and to calm the situation),” Go added.
Cry for justice
The families of the four slain soldiers are now seeking justice after the tragic incident. The wife of Capt. Irwin Managuelo shared her husband was set to return home this July 5 from his mission, but it is too late now.
The mission of the four military men was supposed to be completed that day. They were about to stop two terrorist women, including the wife of the first suicide bomber in Indanan, who were planning for a revenge through another bombing.
“We were so close to neutralizing, capturing 2 suspected Abu Sayyaf bombers,” Philippine Army Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay disclosed.
“Nandoon na kami sa puntong ‘yon. That’s why ‘yong mag-a-assault, magre-raid nandoon na rin sa area. Eh nangyari naman itong shooting incident. Doon sila ngayon rumesponde dahil tumawag ‘yong isang tropa natin. Sabi, ‘Sir, binanatan ang mga tropa natin’ (We were already at that point. That’s why, those who were supposed to do the assault and raid were already in the area. But the shooting happened. They had to respond to the shooting instead after our troop called up, saying “Sir, our troops were gunned down),” Gapay recounted. – Report from Eunice Samonte
