NBI to help in Jolo cops manhunt

No bail was recommended by the panel of prosecutors. Sinas earlier approved the dismissal from service of the police officers

Agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was given instruction to help in the manhunt for nine policemen who figured in the shooting of four intelligence officers of the Philippine Army (PA) in Jolo, Sulu last year.

Philippine National Police chief General Debod Sinas on Monday said the Philippine National Police sought the assistance of the Philippine Army in locating the ninn former police officers implicated in the fatal shooting of four army intelligence officers in June last year.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the warrant of arrests was issued to all law enforcement officers, including the NBI, for service to the accused.

“Automatic ‘yun. Besides, I have given verbal instructions to the NBI to help in the manhunt,” Guevarra said.

While the warrants of arrest were issued by the Sulu judge, Sinas said the dialogue is still ongoing and some of the accused are still hesitant to surrender, though copies of the arrest warrant was already given to the PA to help in tracking them.

Automatic ‘yun. Besides, I have given verbal instructions to the NBI to help in the manhunt.

The dismissed Jolo cops, Sinas said are wary of surrendering due to fears for their security and safety despite earlier assurances that they will be detained at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

While there is an ongoing dialogue, Sinas said the cops refused to surrender thus the manhunt goes on.

Aside from the Army, he said they also gave copies of the arrest warrants to the NBI.

The nine policemen accoding to reports are still in Jolo, Sulu.

A panel of prosecutors of the Department of Justice last month found probable cause to indict the nine police officers — Senior M/Sgt. Abdelzhimar Padjiri, M/Sgt. Hanie Baddiri, S/Sgt. Iskandar Susulan, S/ Sgt. Ernisar Sappal, Cpl. Sulki Andaki, Pat. Moh Nur Pasani, S/Sgt. Almudzrin Hadjaruddin, Pat. Alkajal Mandangan and Pat. Rajiv Putalan for four counts of murder and planting of evidence.

No bail was recommended by the panel of prosecutors. Sinas earlier approved the dismissal from service of the police officers.

The four soldiers — Maj. Marvin A. Indammog, Capt. Irwin B. Managuelod, Sgt. Jaime M. Velasco and Cpl. Abdal Asula — were conducting intelligence and monitoring operations against two suspected suicide bombers when they were gunned down by the Jolo police officers in June 2020.