Murder raps filed vs cops who killed 4 soldiers

THE National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) on Tuesday filed murder charges against the nine policemen who were involved in the killing of four Army intelligence operatives in pursuit of an Abu Sayyaf suicide bomber lasy June 29.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the NBI endorsed the complaint filed by the relatives of the victims to the Department of Justice (DOJ), which is expected to hold a preliminary investigation.

Charged for four counts of murder and planting of evidence before the Department of Justice are Police S/ms.abdelzhimar Pajiri, M/S. Hanie Badirri, S/sgts.iskandar Susulan, Ernisar Sappal and Almudzrin Hadjaruddin, Cpl.sulki Andaki and Patrolmen Muhammad Nur Pasani, Rajiv Putalan and Alkajal Mandangan.

Hadjaruddin, Mandangan and Putalan are members of the Sulu provincial drug enforcement unit.

They are currently under the custody of the PNP Headquarters Support Service in Camp Crame.

Murder is a nonbailable offense under the Revised Penal Code.

On the other hand, the NBI sought the prosecution of Sulu police provincial office chief, Col. Michael Bawayan; Jolo police chief, Maj.

Walter Annayo; and Sulu provincial drug enforcement unit chief, Capt. Ariel Corcino for neglect of duty.

The nine policemen had refused to submit a statement to the NBI which is conducting an investigation on the shooting that left Army Maj. Marvin Indammog, Capt. Irwin Man ague lod,Sgt.E ric Velasco and Cpl.abdul Asula dead. NBI Deputy Director for Regional Operations Services Antonio Pagatpat said it

is part of the constitutional rights of the accused not to submit a statement to the p robers. pa gatp ats aid the policemen told then bit hey would answer the allegations once a case is filed before the DOJ.

Guevarra earlier pointed out that the initial report submitted by the NBI field agents to his office showed that the army officers mostly sustained bullet wounds in the back.

The military leadership has accused the police officers of executing the victims, contrary to their claim of a misencounter.

He added that the NBI initial report also contained the accounts of 10 witnesses, the forensic findings of the medico-legal and ballistic experts, and the affidavits of the family members of the deceased Army intelligence officers.