The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) yesterday filed charges of murder and planting of evidence against nine Jolo policemen who shot to death four soldiers in Sulu late last month.
Read: PH Army demands investigation into cops’ killing of 4 soldiers in Sulu
In a statement, the NBI said that it is “convinced that the evidence presented amply demonstrates that the victims were killed and that it was the nine police officers who killed them.”
Those charged for murder and planting of evidence were Senior Master Sargeant Abdelzhimar Padjiri, Master Sergeant Hanie Baddiri, Corporal Sulki Andaki, Patrolmen Mohammad Nur Pasani, Alkajal Mandangan, and Rajiv G. Putalan; and Staff Sergeants Iskandar Susulan, Ernisar Sappal, Almudzrin Hadjaruddin, and Almudzrin Hadjaruddin.
Meanwhile, the NBI also charged the following for alleged neglect of duty: Sulu provincial police chief Colonel Michael Bawayan, Jolo police chief Major Walter Annayo, and Sulu Provincial Drugs Enforcement Unit chief Captain Ariel Corcino.
In a statement released today, the Philippine National Police said that it “welcomes” the NBI’s decision to file a complaint against its men.
“Under the criminal justice system and in accordance with penal laws, the respondents will be given the opportunity to answer the charges against them before the proper forum and in accordance with due process,” the police force’s spokesman Brigadier General Bernard Banac said.
Last month, the Jolo police were patrolling a village when they saw a gray Mitsubishi Montero carrying four men, who introduced themselves as members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Instead of believing them, the cops ordered the soldiers to go to a police station to prove their identity.
The cops alleged that upon their arrival at the station, the soldiers decided to flee to a neighboring village, leading to a chase. When the cops caught up with the soldiers, the latter group allegedly disembarked from their Montero and threatened to shoot at the policemen. The cops alleged that they killed the entire group out of self-defense.
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