Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa on Thursday rejected allegations that the nine policemen involved in the killing of four soldiers in Jolo, Sulu were “trigger-happy” cops.
“Madaling sabihin ‘yan kung wala ka doon sa sitwasyon (It’s easy to say that if you are not in that situation). Do you think happy sila na nakapatay sila ng kapwa nilang naka-uniporme? Ako sabihin ko talaga (They were happy to kill a fellow officer? I will really tell them) they are so insensitive. Hindi kasi sila naging pulis, hindi sila naging sundalo (They did not become police, they were not soldiers),” Dela Rosa said during a virtual press briefing.
“Kung kayo ang andun sa sitwasyon na ‘yun tingnan niyo kung ano ang gagawin ninyo. (If you were in their situation, you should also know what you could have done). They are not happy to pull the trigger that will cause the untimely deaths of their comrades. They are not happy,” the senator stressed.
The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said he has already advised the ground commanders to coordinate peacefully with the military, saying he still believes strong coordination between the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the PNP is key to remove any feelings of distrust.
“Dapat constant ang coordinaton nila, usap sila parati, para ma establish ang rapport, bond, close na kayo, wala na distrust. ‘Yun ang i-encourage natin, sana mag usap kayo parati para mawala nag distrust, (There should be constant coordination on both sides and establish rapport, bond, closeness to remove any distrust. We should encourage them to always talk to remove any distrust),” he reiterated.
President Duterte had earlier tasked the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a full-blown investigation on the shooting incident involving Major Marvin Indammog and three other soldiers, who were allegedly trailing Abu Sayyaf bomb makers.
According to police, the soldiers sped past a checkpoint and allegedly pointed guns at the cops, which prompted a clash. Military officials, meanwhile, denied this allegation, saying the soldiers identified themselves at the check point before they were shot by the police “without provocation.”
Dela Rosa said he has already asked his former comrades and heads of the military to just allow the NBI finish the course of its investigation.
“There was no animosity between them. Ang akin lang sana ma-control nila ang kanilang mga subordinates para hindi na lumaki ang problema dahil talo na nga tayo sa nangyari (I hope they can control their subordinates to contain the problem. They agreed that they will let the NBI undertake an impartial investigation),” he said.
Nevertheless, the senator said he believes those responsible for the deaths of the soldiers should be held criminally liable for the offense.
“As much as possible hindi dapat sila magpa-apekto para tuloy ang kanilang (They shouldn’t allow themselves to be affected so they can pursue their) mandate,” he said.
“But it doesn’t mean to forgive and forget. They have to suffer kung lalabas sa investigation na managot sila, managot sila (if the results of the investigation means they have to be held accountable),” he stressed.