Año says probers gathering evidence on Jolo shooting incident

July 6, 2020

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Monday said they are focused on gathering evidence on the shooting incident in Jolo where four Army intelligence officers were allegedly killed by cops .

In a TV interview, Año said whatever the motive is, the incident can still be considered as murder.

“It may be related to grudges or to drugs. So that’s included (on the information) we receive and we are looking at all angles but our priority is the evidence,” he said.

“After all, whatever happens it’s still murder… whatever their motive is, whatever the background, these suspects will be charged and have to answer for murder case,” he said.

Año also said the number of gunshot wounds on the slain soldiers “constitutes murder”.

“Major (Marvin) Indammog had a total of nine gunshot wounds, eight at the back so that is the more revealing… why do you have to shoot a person eight times?... so that would actually constitute murder,” he said.

Año said based on the initial information from witnesses, the incident appears to be a ''shooting incident.”

Last June 29, four Army intelligence officers were allegedly shot by  nine policemen after they allegedly escaped when asked to go to Jolo Municipal Police Station for verification of their identity.

According to the Philippine Army, the four were on an intelligence mission against two suicide bombers and that’s why they are in civilian clothes.

President Rodrigo Duterte and other security officials met with the military and police in Zamboanga City last July 3.

Duterte earlier tasked the National Bureau of Investigation to investigate the incident. Ella Dionisio/DMS