PNP: NBI to determine if there's overkill in Jolo shooting incident

The Philippine National Police said Friday that it is up to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to determine if there was an overkill in the Jolo, Sulu shooting incident last Monday as one of the slain soldiers suffered eight gunshot wounds, its spokesman said Friday.

"Sa ngayon, hintayin na lang natin ang magiging kalalabasan ng investigation ng NBI. Wala na po tayong maibibigay pa na anumang pahayag maliban doon sa nasibak na ang hepe ng Jolo Municipal Police Station bilang bahagi ng kanyang command responsibility," Brigadier General Banac told reporters in Camp Crame.

"Ito po ay inaprubahan ng provincial director ng Sulu at maging ng regional director ng PRO BARMM," Banac added.

Based on the probe of the NBI, one of the killed government troops had eight gunshot wounds while three gunshot wounds were found in each of the other two soldiers.

According to NBI Deputy Director Ferdinand Lavin, the autopsy was finished on Tuesday night.

The bodies of the three soldiers – Major Marvin Indamog, Captain Irwin Managuelod and Sergeant Eric Velasco – were brought to Manila on Tuesday, while the remains of Corporal Abdal Asula was immediately buried in accordance with Islamic tradition.

While the PNP branded what transpired as a shooting incident, the Philippine Army has since noted that it was a case of murder. Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay criticized the spot report as full of lies and inconsistencies.

Following the strong pronouncements of the Army, Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana called on military commanders not to inflame the emotions of the soldiers so that the situation will no longer escalate.

Meanwhile, Banac said the NBI is already checking the CCTV footage of the incident and that the police organization is also hoping for a swift probe on the case.

"Pinapaubaya na natin sa investigation ng NBI ang pag-validate ng nasabing kumakalat na viral video at upang malaman natin kung ano ang source at ano nilalaman nito. So inaasahan natin na makakapagbigay ang NBI ng kanilang findings tungkol sa bagay na ito," Banac said.

He assured the public that the police organization continues to cooperate in the investigation of the "unfortunate" incident.

The military said the soldiers were conducting intelligence operations to track alleged suicide bombers when they were flagged down by the cops to verify their identities.

A police report stated that a shooting incident transpired when the soldiers supposedly escaped and pointed their weapons at the police officers.

President Rodrigo Duterte is expected to meet with the top officials of the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines following the incident.  —LBG, GMA News