MANILA – President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a speedy investigation on the “misencounter” in Jolo, Sulu.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said that Duterte was “extremely sad” over the incident between policemen and members of the military that left four soldiers dead.
“Nalulungkot siya [Duterte] sa nangyari sa Sulu at inorderan niya ang NBI na pabilisin ang imbestigasyon,” Roque said in an interview with GMA 7’s “Unang Balita.”
“Lungkot na lungkot siya at ang ginamit niyang salita ay siya ay nanlambot, extremely sad,” the Palace spokesperson added.
Duterte has also informed Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año that he wants to talk to the involved policemen.
“Hiniling ni Pangulo kay Secretary Año na gusto niyang makausap ‘yung siyam na pulis na diumano ay nagpaputok dun sa apat na Army personnel kasama ang isang major,” Roque said.
The President has also expressed his intention to visit the soldiers in Sulu – which he had done a number of times already in the past – to lift their morale.
“Hindi raw dapat nagpapatayan ang may parehong ideolohiya at sinabi niyang sana ito na ang huling misencounter sa kaniyang termino,” the Palace spokesperson added.
According to the police spot report on the incident, the policemen confronted the armed men they spotted at Sitio Marina. These men had identified themselves as military personnel but the policemen directed them to proceed to a nearby station for further verification of their identities.
Upon arriving at the station, the report said, the soldiers tried to escape, prompting the policemen to chase them. The soldiers allegedly disembarked from their vehicle and pointed their weapons at their pursuers ensuing an exchange of fire./PN
