MANILA, Philippines — “The first step toward the quest for justice,” was how the Armed Forces of the Philippines described the criminal complaints filed in the Department of Justice against nine policemen who shot to death four Army intelligence officers in Jolo, Sulu, according to AFP spokesperson Maj. Gen. Edgard Arevalo.
Army chief Lt. Gen. Gilbert Gapay meanwhile expressed confidence on the eventual conviction of the respondents for the “heinous crime” committed against the “Jolo 4.”
The “swift” action of the National Bureau of Investigation was a “welcome development, not only for the Philippine Army, but also for the families of our soldiers who were murdered in cold blood,” Gapay said.
The nine policemen were charged with murder and the planting of evidence in the shooting death last month of Army Maj. Marvin Indammog; Capt. Irwin Managuelod; Sgt. Jaime Velasco and Cpl. Abdal Asula.
Arevalo said: “We understand that in the rule of law and due process, this is for a long haul. But we are comforted to note that the first step toward the quest for justice in favor of the four slain Philippine Army soldiers was attained.”
Arevalo assured that AFP chief Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. will be “following intently the development of this case from the filing of the case, to prosecution and rendering of judgment.”
Charged with murder and planting of evidence were Police Senior Master Sergeant Abdelzhimar Padjiri; Master Sergeant Hannie Baddiri; Staff Sergeant Iskandar Susulan; Staff Sergeant Erniskar Sappal; Cpl. Sulki Andaki; and Pat. Moh Nur Pasani, as well as Sulu provincial police drug enforcement unit members: Staff Sergeant Almudzrin Hadjaruddin; Pat. Alkajal Mandangan; and Pat. Rajiv Putalan.
The NBI also recommended a charge of neglect of duty under command responsibility against the Sulu provincial police director, the head of the Sulu Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit and the Jolo police chief.