PNP creates board of inquiry on attack of 50 alleged BIFF in Datu Piang

December 8, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday said a board of inquiry (BOI) was created following the attack of 50 alleged members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in Datu Piang, Maguindanao last week.

In a press briefing, General Debold Sinas said the BOI will be composed of five police officials, chaired by Major General Marni Marcos Jr, Directorate for Investigation and Detective Management (DIDM), head.

''The purpose of the BOI is to determine what really transpired on the harassment,” he added.

Sinas said also part of their task is to determine if there are any administrative and operational lapses from their personnel there.

“They are also likewise directed to determine if there are intelligence reports received… To determine what the responses are to the harassment. Aside from that, to determine the best practices and commendable action taken by the PNP,” he added.

Sinas said a special investigation task group (SITG) was created by the Police Regional Office- Bangsamoro.

“So that they can determine and file (cases) on the identified suspect who conducted harassment in Datu Piang,” Sinas said.

According to Marcos, they are given until December 9 to finish their investigation but he requested for a few more days before they can submit their report.

“When that incident happened last week he gave us a timeline until December 9 but this morning when I had a meeting with him I requested for a few days to wrap it up and we will submit as soon as possible,” he said.

Last December 3, 50 armed men attacked the town and burned a police vehicle.

No casualty was reported and law enforcers were able to immediately respond.

PNP is eyeing three motives on the incident. One is political rivalry among local executives, vengeance for the death of a BIFF member in a police operation last December 1; and personal grudge of some BIFF members against the chief of police of Datu Piang.

Sinas said he momentarily relieved Capt. Israel Bayona,  chief of police of Datu Piang, for stress debriefing while investigation is ongoing.

“All police involved are undergoing stress debriefing and for the COP ( chief of police) to focus on the investigation we recall him… After the result of BOI and stress debriefing, he will be back…  think he has done his best and he has good leadership,” he said.

“He was also requested by the mayor. The mayor sent a letter to us to retain him because the people rallied behind him and removing him may cause a little demoralization among our cops but I said it is mandatory to undergo inquiry and stress debriefing which is okay for everybody,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS