Reviewing 5-inch Atimonan report takes time, says Palace

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte: Give them time. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Malacañang should be allowed more time to review a five-inch-thick investigation report on the killing by a police and military team of 13 alleged criminals in Atimonan, Quezon, on Jan. 6, officials said Sunday.

Justice Secretary Leila de Lima delivered a very “exhaustive report” by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on the incident to Malacañang last Thursday.

This is being reviewed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Benjamin Caguioa, said Abigail Valte, deputy presidential spokesperson.

“We should give them time because it looks like the report is five inches thick,” said Valte over government radio dzRB. “I’m sure they’re getting on with that study.”

President Aquino wanted a thorough and exhaustive review, instead of “sacrificing quality for speed,” she said.

Aquino will study the NBI findings, and then clear its release to the public, according to De Lima.

Three police officers and 10 others were killed in a 20-minute supposed gun battle at a checkpoint on a sparsely populated stretch of the Maharlika Highway in Atimonan.

Supt. Hansel Marantan, leader of the team manning the checkpoint, was the only one wounded among the policemen and soldiers that shot at the group of alleged “jueteng” operator Victor Siman.—TJ Burgonio