Gapay ‘extremely disappointed’ with release of 9 Jolo cops

Armed Forces chief General Gilbert Gapay on Monday said he was “extremely disappointed” with the release of the nine policemen involved in the killing of four soldiers in Jolo, Sulu in June.

“The AFP Chief-of-Staff General Gilbert Gapay is extremely disappointed with the release from custody of nine members the PNP who are respondents to the murder of 4 Army Intelligence personnel who were on an anti-terrorism mission when they were gunned down in downtown Jolo,” the AFP said in a statement.

Last week, the Department of Justice said the nine police officers were indicted for murder and planting of evidence for the Jolo killings. https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/nation/770576/jolo-cops-indicted-over-shooting-of-army-men-in-june/story/

The DOJ said there was probable cause for four counts of murder and planting of evidence against:

•    Police Senior Master Sergeant Abdelzhimar H Padjiri
•    Police Master Sergeant Hanie U. Baddiri
•    Police Staff Sergeant Iskandar I. Susulan
•    Police Staff Sergeant Ernisar P. Sappal
•    Police Corporal Sulki M. Andaki
•    Patrolman Mohammad Nur E. Pasani
•    Police Staff Sergeant Almudzrin M. Hadjaruddin
•    Patrolman Alkajal J. Mandangan
•    Patrolman Rajiv G. Putalan

Meanwhile, the neglect of duty charges against the superiors of the nine cops, Police Colonel Michael Bawayan Jr., Police Major Walter W. Annayo, and Police Captain Ariel J. Corcino, were dismissed.

“It is only unfortunate that despite the DOJ’s filing online of a multiple murder case before the Regional Trial Court in Jolo last 04 January 2021, no Warrants of Arrest have been issued by the court,” the AFP said.

“We assure our personnel and the relatives of the slain soldiers that the AFP will continue with our persistent coordinations with relevant government agencies for the issuance of the said Warrants. Once issued, we will help in the immediate and unimpeded service of said warrants to the named police personnel,” it added.

The four servicemen were killed in Barangay Walled City on June 29 in what police initially described as a “misencounter” but later said was a shooting incident.

The National Bureau of Investigation filed criminal complaints against the nine cops in July.

The police officers were finally dismissed from the service on January 1. — DVM, GMA News