MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) is ready for an investigation on the operations against loose firearms that killed 14 persons in Negros Oriental, General Oscar Albayalde said on Monday.
“We are ready to face an investigation. The PNP and the AFP (Armed Forces of the Philippines), including those involved in the operations are always ready to face an investigation para maipakita na talagang legitimate ‘yung operation na iyan (to show that the operation was indeed legitimate),” he said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
The Commission on Human Rights said on Sunday that it has launched an investigation to “find out the truth” in the operations that led to the death of the 14 persons.
READ: CHR starts probe into killing of 14 farmers in Negros Oriental
Bayan Muna has also threatened to file cases against the police officers and soldiers involved in the alleged firefights with those who were killed.
READ: Bayan Muna threatens to sue cops, soldiers in ‘massacre’ of 14 farmers
The police did not confirm if the fatalities were indeed farmers, but said that they have been involved in attacks against government troops in the province.
The Negros Oriental police also said that the 14 casualties resisted arrest and fires at the operatives during the implementation of search warrants for loose firearms.
READ: 14 killed in PNP, Army operations vs loose firearms in Negros Oriental
READ: Police: Nothing illegal in ops that killed 14 in Negros Oriental
According to Albayalde, the PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) also conducts its own investigation on policemen involved in controversial operations.
“We expect the results of the investigation from the IAS very soon especially sa mga ganyang (in those kinds of) operations,” he said.
The PNP chief also dismissed allegations that the operations were a massacre, since 12 others who did not resist arrest were taken into custody. / gsg
READ: PNP: No massacre in Negros Oriental operations