By ARGYLL CYRUS B. GEDUCOS
Malacañang said yesterday that President Duterte is extremely sad over the deaths of four Armed Forces of the Philippines soldiers at the hands of cops last Monday following an alleged confrontation and chase in Jolo, Sulu.
In an interview with GMA’s “Unang Hirit,” presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte was really saddened by the tragic misencounter which the President wished would be the last one.
“Lungkot na lungkot siya. Ang ginamit nga niyang salita ay siya ay ‘nanlambot,’ ‘extremely sad,'” Roque said.
“Hindi raw dapat nagpapatayan, nag-e-engkwentro. At sabi niya sana ito na ang huling misencounter sa kanyang termino,” he added.
Roque said Duterte would like to visit the place where the incident happened and talk to the soldiers.
“Gusto niyang pumunta mismo doon sa lugar kung saan nangyari, kung pupuwede, dahil gusto niyang ma-lift ang morale ng kasundaluhan dahil parang talagang mababa ang morale ng ating mga kasundaluhan,” he said.
According to Roque, Duterte has asked Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año to schedule a meeting with the policemen who were involved in the encounter.
“Without revealing kung kailan at saan mangyayari ang pagpupulong eh hiningi ni Presidente kay Secretary Año na gusto niya makausap ang siyam na pulis,” he said.