The administration of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have agreed to let the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) lead the investigation on the incident involving the police and military in Jolo, Sulu.
Based on the report, an SUV carrying 4 armed military officials were spotted by policemen. The military officials were invited to the police station to verify their identities. On the way, the soldiers ran off. Thus, starting a police chase.
In the middle of the chase, the 4 soldiers allegedly got off the SUV to shoot but the police acted in defense and fired their guns earlier causing the death of the military men.
The Western Mindanao Command (WestMinCom) explained that the 4 officers were on a “special mission.” The Philippine Army is saddened by the incident.
“Based on eyewitness accounts, no altercation transpired between the two parties nor was there any provocation on the part of the Army personnel to warrant such carnage. There will be no let-up in our quest for truth and justice,” Philippine Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay stated.
The PNP extended its sympathies to the families of the fallen soldiers and immediately disarmed the police personnel involved in the incident.
“The Regional Director of Police Regional Office-BAR, Police Brigadier General Manuel Abu has been instructed to extend full administrative and operational support to the NBI,” PNP Spokesperson PBGen. Bernard Banac assured.
The PNP tasked the Police Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region to help in the investigation of the NBI. Both Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Delfin Lorenzana and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año called it a “very unfortunate incident” and expressed hope that the NBI will clarify the incident. – Report from Bea Bernardo
