Police, bombers’ conspiracy eyed in slay of soldiers

MANILA, Philippines — The Armed Forces of the Philippines is looking into close ties between the police and suspected suicide bombers as a possible motive in the killing of four Army intelligence officers in Jolo, Sulu, last month, Western Mindanao chief Lt. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr. said.

He said the military was also studying the possibility that the policemen had been protecting the drug trade in an area. A third possible motive is family feud or “rido.”

—Leila B. Salaverria