MANILA, Philippines — The Board of Inquiry, composed of the police and military, should submit the results of its investigation on the Jolo, Sulu shooting incident within the week.
While the BOI is still consolidating reports on the incident, Philippine National Police chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said they will be required to submit the results within the week.
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“They are still consolidating [reports] but we will require them to come up with the results within the week so that they will jointly brief the [AFP] Chief-of-Staff and the Chief PNP on the results of their investigation,” he said in an online press briefing on Monday.
Last June 29, nine policemen allegedly gunned down four military intelligence personnel in Jolo, Sulu.
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On July 15, the cops involved in the incident faced a probe by the National Bureau of Investigation.
The cops invoked their right to remain silent and did not submit written affidavits on the incident.
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Gamboa said this should not be seen as non-cooperation of the cops in the incident but only a part of due process.
“Kaag ganito na nag-invoke ng right to remain silent ang ating kapulisan, it does not necessarily mean na hindi sila nakikipag-cooperate,” he explained.
(When policemen invoke the right to remain silent, it does not necessarily mean that they are not cooperating.)
“Huwag nating tingnan ito na ayaw nilang sumunod sa utos dahil they have also to protect their own personal rights,” Gamboa added.
(We should not see this as non-cooperation because they also have to protect their personal rights.)