AFP welcomes possible firing of cops involved in Jolo shooting

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) on Sunday cheered the recommendation of the Philippine National Police (PNP) to have the police officers involved in the Jolo shooting incident separated from the service.

While the AFP welcomed the Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service's recommendation, the military was also expecting criminal and civil cases to be filed against the cops involved in the shooting.

"The AFP welcomes the reported recommendation by Philippine National Police-Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) to separate the perpetrators from the PNP service. And if ever that recommendation will be adopted, it is but an administrative penalty," the AFP said in a Sunday statement.

"We are looking forward to the two-fold criminal and civil liabilities of those involved in the murder of our soldiers. We are waiting anxiously for that day that such verdict will be reached to begin from the filing of the cases, trial, and decision rendered by a competent court."

On June 29, four soldiers were tracking suicide bombers in Jolo when they were flagged down by cops in Barangay Walled City. Despite identifying themselves as servicemen, they were instructed to go to the police station for further verification of their identities.

According to a police spot report, the shooting incident was triggered when the soldiers allegedly escaped and pointed their weapons at the police officers, prompting the latter to open fire on the soldiers.

The four members of the Philippine Army were killed, even though the cops involved in the shooting could not pinpoint who shot first.

The police Internal Affairs Service filed administrative and criminal complaints against the nine cops involved in the Jolo shooting incident.

Administrative complaints were also filed against three police commanders for gross neglect of duty — Police Lieutenant Colonel Michael Bawayan Jr., the 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 also filed four counts of murder and planting of evidence charge against the nine cops involved and recommended the filing of neglect of duty against three local police officers.

"We will not renege on our commitment to our soldier-victims and their loved ones that we will pursue this quest for justice until it is served judiciously and with due haste," the AFP said Sunday. — DVM, GMA News