De Lima to create special investigating body on Quezon ‘shootout’

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Justice Secretary Leila De Lima is set to create a special team to investigate the Atimonan, Quezon ‘shootout.’

At a press conference Tuesday, De Lima said she is waiting for a clearance from President Benigno Aquino III before she creates the body.

“The families of those slain are seeking DoJ assistance to conduct a special probe and I am inclined to create a special team of NBI investigators and DoJ Prosecutors to do its own probe,” De Lima said.

“We cannot blame the families of the victims na mag-duda (to have doubts) [because] PNP is involved and they are also conducting the investigation,” she added.

During the ‘shootout’, 13 people were killed including a ranking police official, two other police officers and three members of the military.