AFP chief Gapay wants immediate filing of charges vs. cops in Jolo shooting incident

Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay on Wednesday expressed dismay that justice has yet to be served for the four soldiers killed by policemen in shooting incident in Jolo, Sulu last June 29.

"It's been almost two months since this incident happened but we were surprised there were no charges yet so we hope that there will be swift disposition of justice here," Gapay said in a Senate hearing.

"Ang hinihiling ng mga pamilya ng mga namatay ay talagang lalabas ang katotohanan at ang justice will be given," he added.

The nine policemen, currently under restrictive custody at Camp Crame, were present during the hearing.

Gapay, who was Philippine Army commander when the incident happened, said he wants "immediate" filing of the case so that the real motive and intent behind the killings would surface in court.

“We have been waiting for two months already and justice delayed is justice denied. So we expect immediate filing of the recommended charges found out by the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) in their initial investigation," Gapay said.

He called it a "very unique" case, considering the strong coordination between the army and police in the past.

During the same hearing, the police involved in the shooting could not determine who fired the first shot but they maintained that Major Marvin Indamog, one of the killed soldiers, alighted from the vehicle with a firearm.

The National Bureau of Investigation, on the other hand, said the witnesses claimed Indamog was unarmed when he got out of the vehicle.

'Let the courts decide'

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Gamboa, who was also present during the hearing, said he would be willing to surrender the nine cops to the courts should warrants of arrest or court orders be issued.

He added that it is proper for the evidence possessed by the NBI to be taken up in courts.

"The basis of NBI in filing the appropriate charge against these nine are based on the evidence, both material and testimonials, that they have gathered in the course of their investigation," Gamboa said.

"I suggest that that portion of criminal charges will be tackled by the courts. Let them determine whether the nine policemen are really guilty of the charges against them," he added.

Gamboa noted that during the time the NBI gathered their evidence, the nine policemen from Jolo did not air their side upon the advice of their legal counsel.

The NBI filed four counts of murder and planting of evidence against the nine cops allegedly involved in the shooting and recommended the filing of neglect of duty complaints against three more local police officers.

Two weeks ago, the Department of Justice said it would issue subpoenas to the respondent police officers. —KBK, GMA News