NBI summons cops in Jolo shooting

MANILA, Philippines — The police officers accused of killing four Army intelligence officers in Jolo, Sulu on June 29 were summoned by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday.

Senior M/Sgt. Abdelzhimar Padjiri, M/Sgt. Hanie Baddiri, Cpl. Sulki Andaki, Pat. Moh Nur  Pasani,  Pats. Alkajal  Mandangan and Rajiv Putalan and S/Sgts. Iskandar Susulan, Ernisar Sappal and Almudzrin  Hadjaruddin were accompanied by their police escorts.

NBI deputy director for regional operations service Antonio Pagatpat said the police officers did not file their affidavits.

“We are in the final stage of our investigation and they were subpoenaed as part of due process and to give them a chance to explain their side. During the proceedings, they manifested that they will no longer submit their countervailing statements or affidavits,” Pagatpat said.

The police officers told NBI probers that they would file their affidavits only when a complaint is filed before the prosecutor’s office.

The wives of the slain soldiers had earlier filed a murder complaint against the police officers before the NBI.

Pagatpat said the evaluation of the evidence could be finished this week to determine whether the police officers would be charged with murder.

Among the pieces of evidence are the autopsy and ballistic findings, which showed that the Army intelligence officers were shot from behind. The body of one of the fatalities bore eight gunshot wounds in the back.

Maj. Marvin Indammog, 39; Capt. Irwin Managuelod, 33; Sgt. Jaime Velasco, 38, and Cpl. Abdal Asula, 33, were on an anti-terrorism mission when they were flagged down by the police officers.

The suspects claimed the soldiers engaged them in a shootout.

Pagatpat said the NBI is confident that it has an airtight case against the police officers.

“Because they did not submit their affidavits, we’re confident we have a case,” he said.

President Duterte said he hopes the “isolated incident” would not spark animosity between the police and military.