Jolo chief of police removed from post after soldiers' slays

The chief of the Jolo Municipal Police Station was administratively relieved from his post following the incident which killed four soldiers, the chief of Police Regional Office-Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao confirmed on Wednesday.

Police Brigadier General Manuel Abu told GMA News Online that Police Lieutenant Colonel Walter Annayo is now under the custody of the Sulu Provincial Police Office pending investigation into the incident.

Abu was asked if the move was because of the call of Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay that police commanders must be relieved due to the incident.

Abu explained that Annayo, who is now on floating status, was relieved in accordance with the protocol of the Philippine National Police when incidents like this happen.

"Hindi ano naman may standing kuwan na tayo diyan sa PNP na pagka ganyan, implement natin 'yan, sinusunod natin 'yan..." Abu said in a phone interview.

"If we find out na later on wala naman talagang lapses on the performance of his duty, he'll be back again," Abu added.

Abu said Police Lieutenant Colonel Filmore Calib has been assigned as officer-in-charge of the Jolo MPS in the meantime.

Abu also said there is no instruction yet to relieve the Sulu Provincial Police Office chief.

Asked for comment about Gapay's remark that the incident was murder, Abu said he prefers to wait for the result of the National Bureau of Investigation's probe.

"Ayaw namin mag-jump to conclusion... ang akin diyan, let us wait for the meantime 'yung magiging findings ng NBI team," Abu said.

PNP spokesman Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac retracted his earlier remark that the incident was a misencounter.

He is now saying that what transpired was a shooting incident, based on what is written in the police report. -NB/BM, GMA News