Jolo cops ‘unsure’ who fired first, deny planting evidence at shooting scene

MANILA: Police officers involved in the June 29 encounter in Jolo, Sulu cannot determine who fired the first shot that led to the killing of four military intelligence operatives.

Police Senior Master Sergeant Abdelzhimar Padjiri, the officer who was closest to the soldiers at the shooting scene, reasoned that he was unable to pinpoint who fired first due to the sudden turn of events.

“I could not identify because people already started firing shots. Because of my position, I could not identify because I had to stand back” Padjiri said during the Senate hearing Wednesday.

Padjiri said he approached Major Marvin Indammog who first alighted from the vehicle. He said the latter had a firearm with him when he got off.

SPONSORED CONTENT

Hajiji says positive economic achievements prove Sabah govt’s commitment

Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister, Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor, emphasised that the positive economic achievements over the past three years underscore the Sabah government’s steadfast commitment to both the administration and development of the state.

Indammog was with three other military officers on board an SUV who were also shot and killed: Sergeant Jaime Velasco, Captain Irwin Managuelod, Major Marvin Indammog, and Corporal Abdal Asula.

Patrolman Alkajal Mandangan admitted that he was among those who shot Indammmog after supposedly seeing him lift his M4 rifle.

“I could not determine who fired first among us,” he said.

Meanwhile, Padjiri also denied that they planted the rifle by the left arm of Indammog, as the Senate reviewed CCTV footage related to the incident.

This was contrary to what the National Bureau of Investigation reported during the same hearing. Citing eyewitness accounts, lawyer Zulikha Degamo said Indammog got off the vehicle with his arms raised, indicating that he had no rifle with him.

The NBI also stressed that the cops were “strategically positioned” when they surrounded the SUV.

Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.

Daily Express Malaysia

The agency filed four counts of murder, one count of planting of evidence against the nine cops. It also recommended the filing of neglect of duty complaints against three other top Jolo officials, Sulu Provincial Police Office Chief Colonel Michael Bawayan, Jolo Municipal Police Station Chief Major Walter Annayo, and Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit Chief Captain Ariel Corcino.

Aside from Padjiri and Mandangan, the other cops who faced charges were Master Sergeant Hanie Baddiri, Staff Sergeant Iskandar Susulan, Staff Sergeant Ernisar Sappal, Corporal Sulki Andaki, Patrolman Moh Nur Pasani, Staff Sergeant Almudzrin Hadjaruddin, and Patrolman Rajiv Putalan.

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00

Try 1 month for RM 18.00