The Philippine National Police (PNP) vowed on Wednesday, Oct. 12, full cooperation in any conduct of investigation regarding the bloody escape attempt that eventually led to the hostage-taking of former senator Leila de Lima inside the Custodial Center at Camp Crame in Quezon City on Sunday, Oct. 9.
Police Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, chief of the PNP-Public Information Office, stressed that that the police did everything it could to address the incident at its Custodial Center when three inmates who used to be affiliated with the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) resorted to violence in an attempt to escape.
"We believe that the PNP has already taken enough steps to address the incident last Sunday at the PNP Custodial Center," said Alba.
"The swift response to immediately commence an impartial investigation is a gesture showing accountability and transparency. We have also provided enough information to the public to make the public understand the circumstances," he added.
Alba was reacting to the calls for investigation of the incident that compromised the safety of de Lima, one of the few remaining high-profile inmates under police custody.
The House of Representatives, for its part, wants to look deeper into the incident.
"We welcome any investigation from other agencies and law enforcement units. Rest assured that the PNP will cooperate with any independent investigation to be conducted as we support the advocacy of fairness," said Alba.
He, however, has one appeal: "We implore that this however, will undergo the appropriate procedure at the proper forum."
The Camp Crame hostage drama resulted in the death of three inmates-- Idang Susukan, Arnel Cabintoy and Feliciano Sulayao, Jr.
Susukan and Cabintoy were shot dead after they attacked a policeman distributing food ration. Sulayao, however, managed to escape and eventually held de Lima hostage. He, too, was shot dead.
The head of the PNP Custodial Center was already sacked from his post and the PNP is yet to conclude its own investigation into the incident.