2 Zambo Sur cops involved in death of soldier assigned in Marawi relieved from posts

Philippine National Police chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa said Monday he already ordered the administrative relief of two police officers allegedly involved in the death of a home-bound soldier from Marawi.

“Administrative relief para maimbestigahan,” Dela Rosa said in a phone interview.

He, however, clarified that it is not a sanction yet.

“Hindi ‘yan sanction. Hindi ‘yun punishment kundi relief para ma-conduct yung investigation, para maklaro ang investigation, to give way to an impartial investigation. Hindi ‘yun sanction o punishment sa kanilang ginawa,” he said.

Private First Class Rodilo Bartolome, 33, of Barangay Kanipay, Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur, and a member of Philippine Army's 53rd Infantry Battalion detailed in Marawi City, was killed Wednesday afternoon last week at Junction Monte Alegre, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.

He had been assigned in Marawi since May.

The suspects aree Police Officer 2 Ronald Zeros and Police Office 1 Michael Bullanday who responded to a report by a civilian that an alleged armed man was sighted at a store at Purok Magdadaro, Junction Monte Alegre, Aurora, Zamboanga del Sur.

The two were earlier placed under restrictive custody.

Western Mindanao Command spokesperson Captain Jo-An Petinglay said a joint investigation is being conducted right now pertaining to the circumstances of Bartolome's death.

"Prior to the incident, PFC Bartolome who was assigned with [the] 53rd Infantry Battalion was permitted to go on overnight pass by his immediate superior purposely to visit his family in Midsalip, Zamboanga del Sur," she said. — Amita Legaspi/RSJ, GMA News