1 of 9 cops in Sulu shooting incident tests positive in COVID-19 rapid test

One of the nine policemen involved in last week's shooting incident in Jolo, Sulu that left four soldiers dead has tested positive in COVID-19 rapid test, Unang Balita reported on Monday, citing Interior Secretary Eduardo Año.

Año reportedly said the nine were supposed to be brought to Metro Manila in accordance with President Rodrigo Duterte's order, but it was postponed as the nine had to undergo swab test for COVID-19.

Duterte talked with the nine policemen, who are all disarmed and facing investigation, last Friday in Zamboanga City.

On June 29, four soldiers on an intelligence mission were killed in an alleged misencounter with policemen in Barangay Walled City, according to a report from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and the police.

The soldiers were on board an SUV when they were spotted by police. When confronted, the men introduced themselves as members of the military. They were then directed to proceed to Jolo Municipal Police Station for verification.

However, the men allegedly fled, prompting the police to chase them.

The police said the men disembarked from their vehicle with firearms. The men allegedly pointed their firearms towards police. However, before they could pull the trigger, the police officers were able to shoot them in defense, the report said.

Philippine Army chief Lieutenant General Gilbert Gapay said the incident was not a misencounter but murder.

Aside from the internal investigation by the Philippine National Police (PNP), the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is also looking into the incident. —KBK, GMA News