After slay of soldiers in Jolo, PNP chief says Army, cops continue to trust each other

The chief of the Philippine National Police on Tuesday said the Jolo incident which killed four government troops was an isolated incident, adding that the police and the military continued to enjoy each other's confidence.

"It's an isolated case and the Philippine National Police together with the Armed Forces still continue to enjoy its confidence between each other. I hope that will clarify things," Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa told reporters in a chance interview.

Gamboa indicated that the police organization would welcome the results of an impartial investigation even if it meant charges being filed against the officers involved in the Jolo incident.

He said he was in favor of a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation to ensure impartiality of the investigation.

"The PNP together with the AFP are both open to the investigation and my request for the NBI is an impartial investigation so that the truth would come out and readily whatever would be the findings of the NBI, the PNP and the AFP will together embrace whatever the recommendations," Gamboa said.

The PNP chief said the nine policemen involved were already under the custody of the Sulu Provincial Police Office.

"At any time that their presence or their affidavits may be taken, we are always open to that," Gamboa said.

The military earlier said four soldiers, who were conducting intelligence operations, were tracking the location of reported suicide bombers under the group of Mundi Sawajaan in coordination with Joint-Task Force Sulu and the 11th Infantry Division in Jolo.

A spot report from the police said the soldiers were flagged down by cops and was directed to proceed to the police station to further verify that they are really part of the AFP.

Police said that the soldiers escaped, prompting them to chase the troops. They also said the soldiers pointed their firearms at them so they gunned down the military troops.

PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac has called the incident a misencounter. He admitted that it was a big lesson for the entire police force.

However, Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay insisted the incident was not a misencounter but a murder as the troops never fired shots at the policemen.

Gapay also criticized the police report on the incident, saying that it was full of inconsistencies and lies. -NB, GMA News