PNP says death of four Army intelligence agents could have affected monitoring of Jolo bombers

August 29, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) virtually admitted the killing of four military intelligence agents at the hands of policemen in Jolo could have played a role in the recent twin bombings where at least 15 people died.

PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac made the statement in response to the information  in Sulu that the bombings were perpetrated by two female suicide bombers.

“It is really unfortunate that this killing of four intelligence officers could have affected the monitoring of these suspects,” he said during an interview with The Chiefs on Cignal TV’s One News on Friday evening.

Army chief Lt. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said the suicide bombers responsible for the recent attack in Jolo were being tracked by the four slain military intelligence agents last June.

Nine police office involved in the shooting incident are facing cases of multiple counts of murder and planting of evidence because of the incident.

Despite the incident, Banac said the relationship of the police and military remains strong and their focus is to restore normalcy  in Sulu.

The PNP has deployed at least 228 Special Action Force (SAF) commandos to Sulu to augment Sulu police.

“These are in  addition to the one SAF company of 60 personnel already posted in Sulu prior to the bombing incident,” Banac said in a Viber message. DMS