Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate. Photo from the Makabayan opposition bloc
Opposition lawmakers sought for a congressional investigation into the deadly misencounter between police and army forces in Samar a week ago.
Bayan Muna Rep. Carlos Zarate, ACT-Teachers Reps. Antonio Tinio and France Castro, Gabriela Reps. Emmi de Jesus and Arlene Brosas, Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, and Kabataan Rep. Sarah Elago filed House Resolution 1983听on Tuesday, directing the committees on national defense, and security and public order and safety to look into the incident.
Last June 25, six police officers were killed while nine more were wounded after a 20-minute 鈥渕isencounter鈥� between members of the 805th Company of the Regional Mobile Force Battalion of the Philippine National Police and 鈥渁rmed men鈥� of the 87th Infantry Battalion of the Philippine Army in Sta. Rita, Samar.
The policemen were in the area doing security patrol when they encountered the soldiers.
搁贰础顿:听6 policemen killed, 9 more hurt in Samar misencounter
The militant lawmakers lamented that while authorities are investigating whether the encounter was caused by lack of coordination, the families of those killed and injured were calling for justice.
鈥淭he families of the victims expressed their fears of a cover up or a white wash as President Rodrigo Duterte said that 鈥榥obody wanted it to happen鈥� and this was caused by 鈥楳urphy鈥檚 Law鈥�. They fear that the case will be white-washed like what happened with the Mamasapano case,鈥� they noted.
搁贰础顿:听Duterte on Samar misencounter: 鈥楴obody wants it鈥�
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier said Mr. Duterte is taking full responsibility for the incident 鈥渢o end the blame game.鈥�
搁贰础顿:听Roque: Duterte takes responsibility for Samar misencounter to end blame game
听
According to Roque, relatives of the dead policemen have been asking that somebody be held accountable for the incident, thus, the president鈥檚 remarks. 听/kga