Pres Duterte swears justice for soldiers slain in Sulu misencounter

From the Philippine Information Agency (Jul 3, 2020): Pres Duterte swears justice for soldiers slain in Sulu misencounter (By Dominic I. Sanchez)

ZAMBOANGA CITY, July 3 (PIA) – President Rodrigo Duterte called on Filipinos to remain sober and not to pass any immature judgment in light of the recent tragedy in Sulu where four soldiers were killed by policemen in an alleged misencounter during his Talk-to-Troops in Edwin Andrews Air Base in Zamboanga City tonight (July 3), as he ensures that justice will be served. He likewise warned against any form of retaliation against the suspect policemen involved in the shooting.

“I am pleading, nihangyo ko ninyo nga tabangan ko ninyo pagpakalma (help me to calm) to keep the waters in the meantime calm as we wait for the results of the investigation,” President Duterte said.

“It is my word of honor as president that I will find out the truth from the investigators,” he added. “I love my soldiers, I love the police, but pending the investigation, we must all keep our silence and hope NBI will find out the truth for us.”

On June 29, four army intelligence personnel were killed in a shooting incident in Jolo, Sulu allegedly perpetrated by policemen in the area. The soldiers were reportedly in a mission to capture suspected terrorists when they were shot and killed near a police station.

President Duterte said he ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to fast-track the investigation to give swift justice to the victims.

Nevertheless, he warns concerned parties to refrain from committing acts of retaliation, as this will result to more problems.

“You want to have your revenge? For what? Would it bring the four officers back to life?” he said.

Meanwhile, the Office of the President has already provided assistance for the families of the victims. Yesterday, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, the former special assistant to the President paid his respects to the families of the victims, as he also vowed to bring justice to the victims and their families. (EDT/DIS/PIA9-ZAMSULTA)

https://pia.gov.ph/news/articles/1046620