Malacañang said President Duterte is “extremely sad” over the death of four soldiers at the hands of Sulu cops on Monday following an alleged confrontation and chase in Jolo.
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said Duterte was really saddened by the tragic misencounter which the President wished would be the last one.
“Hindi raw dapat nagpapatayan, nag-e-engkwentro. At sabi niya sana ito na ang huling misencoutner 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 pupwede, dahil gusto niyang ma-lift ang morale ng kasundaluhan dahil parang talagang mababa ang morale ng ating mga kasundaluhan,” he said.
According to Roque, President Duterte asked Interior Secretary Eduardo Año to allow him to meet 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.
President Duterte has already ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to expedite their investigation on the misencounter. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)
