The quest for truth and justice will be pursued as the government starts to probe the deadly shooting incident involving policemen and anti-drug personnel in Quezon City.
This is the latest commitment given by President Duterte after expressing concern over the shootout that left two cops dead.
"The President of course expressed both sadness and concern bakit nangyari nga ito na kapwa-tao ng gobyerno ay nagkaputukan (why the shootout between government personnel happened)," Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised press briefing Thursday, Feb. 25.
"Ang in-assure nina gaya nung assurance nangyari sa Sulu we will get to the bottom of this incident. Magkakaroon ng impartial investigation at justice will be done (The President has assured, the same assurance he gave when a similar incident happened in Sulu, we will get to the bottom of this incident. There will be an impartial investigation and justice will be done)," he added.
Roque said the President was informed about the shootout shortly after recording his public address at the Palace Wednesday night.
The alleged misencounter between the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency occurred Wednesday afternoon outside a restaurant in Quezon City. Both camps claimed they were holding a legitimate anti-drug operation in the area.
Roque has expressed confidence that the truth behind the incident will be uncovered during the investigation.
"We are confident that with PNP and PDEA forming investigation panel, and the Justice Secretary ordering the NBI (National Bureau of Investigation) to conduct its own parallel that we will know the truth behind this incident and justice will be done," he said.