The Philippine National Police has pulled out its regional public safety battalion in Zamboanga City following a firefight between policemen and Marines earlier this week.
PNP Director General Ricardo Marquez directed the police battalion to withdraw “to further prevent any untoward incident.”
Marquez directed Chief Supt. Miguel Antonio, the Zamboanga regional police director, to conduct a joint investigation with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, particularly the Marines.
“Close coordination with the AFP will be undertaken to assure the public the PNP and the Marines are in control of the situation,” said PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor.
Two policemen and a Marine were killed in a clash between their two groups in Barangay Labuan, Zamboanga City, on Tuesday night.
Killed were PO1 Muhsin Jainul and PO3 Alkashmir Lipae of the PNP regional battalion and Marine Cp.l Jason Marqueses of Marine Battalion Landing Team 9.
The gunfight broke out after a Marine officer berated the motorcycle-riding policemen for not being in proper uniform.
The Marines are stationed in Zamboanga City, conducting security operations to prevent a repeat of the 2013 siege of the city by Muslim rebels.–Julie M. Aurelio, Philippine Daily Inquirer