BY HANNAH TORREGOZA
The killing of four officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in Jolo, Sulu was planned and intentional, the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said Wednesday.
The NBI confirmed this during the Senate committee on public order and dangerous drugs hearing, chaired by Sen. Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, on the controversy.
The NBI said the police officers involved in the shooting “strategically surrounded” the Montero sport that was used by Major Marvin Indamog, one of the soldiers who died in the incident.
“The way they positioned themselves on all sides of the Montero, one at the back, the others moving to the left side, as though surveying the vehicle, then another one actually opening the right door…based on the statement of witnesses, napalibutan po sila (they were surrounded),” Zulikha Marie Degamo, NBI death investigation division, said during the hearing.
Degamo also said that the firearm used by four out of the nine police officers involved in shooting incident matched with the empty shells that were recovered from the crime scene.
Indamog and three other soldiers were reportedly tracking suicide bombers in the area when the cops flagged them down in Barangay Walled City on June 29, despite identifying themselves as members of the military.
However, despite the evidence, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa, said the nine policemen that were involved in the incident cannot be arrested and detained since there is still no case filed before the courts and no arrest warrant has been issued against them.
The NBI had earlier filed four counts of murder and planting of evidences against PSMS Abdelzhimar H. Padjiri, Police Master Sergeant Hanie U. Baddiri, P/Staff Sergeant Iskandar I. Susulan, PSSg Ernisar P. Sappal, P/Corporal Sulki M. Andaki
Patrolman Mohammad Nur E. Pasani, PSSg Almudzrin M. Hadjaruddin, Patrolman Alkajal J. Mandangan and Patrolman Rajiv G. Putalan for their involvement in the June 29 shooting.
The agency also recommended the filing of complaint for neglect of duty against Sulu provincial police chief P/Colonel Michael Bawayan, Jolo police chief P/Major Walter Annayo, Sulu Provincial Drugs Enforcement Unit chief P/Captain Ariel Corcino. (Hannah Torregoza)
