Malacañang: Atimonan incident, a rubout

MANILA, Philippines - President Benigno Aquino III has accepted in full the recommendations and conclusions of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) that there was no shootout between the group of suspected jueteng kingpin Vic Siman and policemen and soldiers in Atinoman, Quezon last January 6.

During a briefing at Malacañang on Wednesday, deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said the President reviewed and also agreed with the initial investigation of the Philippine National Police's own investigative body.

"Ultimately the NBI probe reached the conclusion that no shootout occurred, thus validating the initial results of the PNP fact-finding committee. The probe findings also showed that the victims were summarily executed and all indications point to a rubout," Valte quoting the 64-page executive summary.

She said the President has ordered the filing of multiple murder charges against the policemen and members of the Armed Forces who participated in the incident, which left 13 people dead, including Siman.

Among those who will be facing criminal charges are relieved Calabarzon police director James Melad, Superintendent Hansel Marantan, Inspector John Paulo Caracedo, and Senior Police Officer 1 Arturo Sarmiento.

Marantan, an intelligence officer who was wounded allegedly after shooting it out with Siman's group, was the police's team leader in the Atimonan incident.