Hontiveros wants entire Jolo PNP relieved after shooting incident, twin blasts

Senator Risa Hontiveros on Wednesday said the entire Philippine National Police force in Jolo, Sulu should be relieved after the shooting incident that killed four military men in June and the recent twin blasts that killed at least 15 people.

"Hinihingi ko po sa pamunuan ng PNP: relieve the entire Jolo police force. Para matanggal ang agam-agam na may infiltration ng terrorista, para mapanatag ang loob ng mga Pilipino, para bigyan ng free hand ang imbestigasyon, the entire Jolo police force must be relieved," Hontiveros said in a privilege speech.

"Kung ang tanong lang pagkatapos ng June 29 ay 'ano ang tinatago ng kapulisan at bakit parang may cover-up?' ngayon, pagkatapos ng pagbomba sa Jolo, ang tanong na ay 'mayroon bang military intelligence na napunta na sa kamay ng kalaban?'" she added.

The senator pointed out that the four slain soldiers were after two suicide bombers when they were killed by police in Jolo in June 29.

She also took note of Armed Forces' Western Mindanao Command chief Major General Corleto Vinluan Jr.'s remark that blood ties could have caused nine police officers to conspire with the two suicide bombers being tracked by the military.

The commander of Joint Task Force Sulu identified the suspects in the recent suicide bombing attacks in Jolo, Sulu as Nanah, believed to be the wife of Filipino suicide bomber Norman Lasuca, and as Inda Nhay, allegedly the wife of Abu Talha, the Abu Sayyaf's liaison to ISIS who was killed during a firefight with troops.

"We cannot turn away from this. The targets of the June 29 mission were two female bombers. Investigations into the August 24 bombing show that it was perpetrated by two female bombers. Diretsahang tanong: Did terrorist elements somehow influence, directly or indirectly, the killing of the soldiers?" Hontiveros asked.

She said the recent developments in Jolo showed the importance of putting the nine cops involved in the shooting incident almost two months ago under preventive suspension. Otherwise, national security may be compromised.

"Sabi ng head ng IAS (Internal Affairs Service), the police officers involved will “perform duties as a policeman but their movements will be restricted to ensure their presence in investigations.” Ano po ang ibig sabihin ng ‘perform duties as a policeman?' They will still have access to police intelligence? They can still participate in operations?" she said.

Last week, PNP chief Police General Archie Gamboa said the nine police officers involved in the Jolo shooting have yet to be given administrative suspension as administrative complaints have to be filed first.

"It is patently false to suggest that suspension can only come after a guilty verdict, because preventive suspension is an explicit mechanism under Republic Act No. 8551. It is also an explicit mechanism in the IAS manual," Hontiveros said.

The National Bureau of Investigation has filed four counts of murder and planting of evidence against the involved cops, and recommended the filing of neglect of duty complaints against three more local policemen.—AOL, GMA News