Board of Inquiry to submit results of Jolo incident probe within the week -Gamboa

The Board of Inquiry which is looking into the Jolo, Sulu shooting incident is tasked to submit the results of its investigation within the week, according to Philippine National Police chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa on Monday.

"They are still consolidating it (reports) but we will require them to come up with the results within the week so that they will jointly brief the (AFP) Chief-of-Staff and the Chief PNP on the results of their investigation," Gamboa said at a virtual press briefing.

Last week, Gamboa announced that the BOI, composed of the police and military, returned to Manila after assessing what transpired in Jolo on June 29.

On July 15, the nine police officers involved in the shooting incident faced the National Bureau of Investigation, however, they invoked their right to remain silent.

The cops also did not submit any written affidavit regarding the incident.

According to Gamboa, this is part of the due process and it should not be seen as if the cops are not cooperating in the investigation of the fatal incident.

"Pag ganito na nag-invoke ng right to remain silent ang ating kapulisan, it does not necessarily mean na hindi sila nakikipag-cooperate. Remember, when you are doing your government duties, yes you have some duties to do but when it involves your personal rights, then you can always invoke this," Gamboa explained.

"Huwag nating tingnan ito na ayaw nilang sumunod sa utos dahil they have also to protect their own personal rights," he added.

Four intelligence officers of the military were tracking suicide bombers when the shooting incident took place.

The soldiers were flagged down by cops in Barangay Walled City. Despite identifying themselves as members of the military, they were instructed to go to the police station for further verification.

According to a police spot report, the shooting incident happened when the soldiers escaped and pointed their weapons at the police officers. This allegedly prompted the policemen to fire at the soldiers.

The NBI earlier said their forensic examination showed one soldier suffered eight gunshot wounds while three gunshot wounds were found on the other two.—AOL, GMA News