The four Army intelligence operatives who were killed by policemen in a shooting incident in Jolo, Sulu carried firearms with them, a military official said Thursday.
Major General Corleto Vinluan, commander of 11th Infantry Division, said it was a normal thing to do for soldiers assigned in security high risk areas, such as Jolo and who were doing a legitimate military operation.
Vinluan, however, said the soldiers did not fire at the police officers, knowing for a fact that they were flagged down at a police security checkpoint. "Hindi magpaputok iyan. Alam nila na pulis eh. Naka-uniform. 'Yung iba naka-uniform, 'yung iba naka-sibilyan, tapos nakasakay sa patrol car. 'Pag ganyan na, hindi na magdadala ang sundalo, hindi na makikipaglaban. Eh kung nakipaglaban 'yun, Scout Ranger trained 'yun, mga beterano 'yan. Tapos Special Forces trained 'yung isa. Imposibleng walang mamatay sa pulis," Vinluan added.
This anti-terror operation has been coordinated by Joint Task Force Sulu with local police, Jolo Municipal government and even with some village officials, he said.“Yung operation namin, legitimate 'yan. Actually, in-open namin 'yan eh. Kinausap ng Task Group Jolo commander, binigyan ko ng instruction na i-disseminate down to barangay captains ng Jolo. Kinausap nila si Mayor, 'yung Chief of Police, tungkol sa suicide bombing na planong i-conduct supposed to be last Friday.
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