AFP: Quezon shootout a 'legitimate operation'

MANILA, Philippines - The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) involved in the Quezon shootout maintained on Wednesday before the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that it was a "legitimate operation."

AFP counsel Crisanto Buella said that the military men were tasked to assist the Philippine National Police (PNP) under Col. Hansel Marantan, who led the intelligence operation on alleged gambling or "jueteng" operator Victor Siman, who was killed in the encounter along with 12 others including lawmen.

"This is a legitimate operation ... According to the affidavit, they were fired upon. The person inside the vehicle fired first," Buella told the NBI, the agency heading the probe on the shootout at the town of Atimonan last January 6.

Buella was referring to the affidavit submitted by AFP officers Lt. Col. Monico Abang, 3rd Special Forces Company commander Capt. Erwin Macalinao and Souther Luzon commander Maj. Gen. Alan Luga.

The lawyer also reiterated that AFP personnel only came into the picture after PNP sought their assistance, prompting them that an armed group would be passing by the checkpoint where the gun battle took place.

Buella added that the accord between AFP and PNP was base on a memorandum of agreement allowing both camps to undertake joint operations such as the Quezon incident.

The bureau also questioned PNP Regional Director for Calabarzon Chief Supt. James Melad in a closed-door session.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Interior and Local Government Secretary Manuel "Mar" Roxas accused Marantan of lack of cooperation with the ongoing investigation.

The incident, initially believed to be a between alleged criminals and government forces, was reportedly a turf war over gambling allegedly involving both Siman and Marantan.