Cascolan says PNP to improve rapport with AFP

Philippine National Police chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on Friday said the police organization will build a better relationship with the Armed Forces of the Philippines following the shooting incident in Jolo, Sulu in June.

“Para po sa kaalaman ng lahat, we will improve and enhance our rapport with the AFP,” Cascolan said at a press conference.

“Actually po, inimbita na natin ang AFP, may joint activity po kami this coming week so that we would be able to discuss some other things or some salient points,” he added.

Cascolon also said the PNP and the AFP will be conducting unit training within the area of Jolo to refresh the PNP on law enforcement activities.

“We are closely coordinating with each other so that we would be able to enhance our relationship with the AFP,” he added.

Earlier, Cascolon said the Internal Affairs Service has already filed administrative and criminal complaints against the nine cops involved in the Jolo shooting incident.

Cascolan also said administrative complaints have been filed against the three superiors of the nine policemen for gross neglect of duty — Police Lieutenant Colonel Michael Bawayan Jr., director of Sulu Provincial Police Office; Police Major Walter Annayo, Jolo police chief; and Police Captain Ariel Corcino, chief of the provincial drug enforcement unit.

The National Bureau of Investigation had also filed four counts of murder and planting of evidence against the nine cops involved and recommended the filing of neglect of duty against three local police officers.

On June 29, the military men were tracking suicide bombers when the shooting incident transpired.

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 of their identities.

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

However, the cops involved could not pinpoint who made the first shot between their group and the four members of the Philippine army who were killed. — RSJ, GMA News