The Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) on Monday denied that two of the 13 persons killed in a shootout in Quezon last Sunday were its personnel.
ISAFP chief Brig. Gen. Eduardo Año said the slain persons were civilians who used fake identification cards (IDs).
“They (slain individuals) were not from ISAFP. They were civilians. The IDs are fake because we do not issue IDs,†Año said in a text message.
“It appears that they were impostors. It is easy to create IDs from the computer,†he added.
Previous reports have identified two of the slain individuals namely Maximo Manalastas Pelayo and Leonardo Catapang Marasigan as ISAFP personnel.
Security officials, however, confirmed that one of the fatalities was a member of the Air Force. The slain airman was identified as S/Sgt. Armando Lescano, who was reportedly assigned in Lipa City.
The Air Force, however, said it is still looking into the incident.
“We are still conducting an investigation. We will keep you posted,†Air Force spokesman Col. Miguel Okol said in a phone interview.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines General Headquarters was tight-lipped on the issue and did not issue any statement on the matter on Monday.
Even military field units were careful in issuing statements about the issue, saying the matter is now being probed by the police.
“This is now a police matter. The area has been cordoned. The police SOCO (scene of the crime operatives) are now conducting autopsy,†Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command spokesman Col. Generoso Bolina said when asked to react to reports that soldiers were killed in the shootout.
Maj. Gen. Alfredo Peralta, commander of the Army’s 2nd division, claimed he has yet to receive an official report about the incident.
He, however, noted that some criminal groups assume the identity of law enforcers to evade authorities.
Peralta, nevertheless, stressed that that the soldiers involved in the checkpoint operation were not at fault.
"The checkpoints are very legal. They followed the proper checkpoint procedure. That is the initial (report) that reached me,†he said.
Meanwhile, Calabarzon regional police director Chief Supt. James Melad said three policemen were killed in the firefight, including police Supt. Alfredo Consamino of Region 4B.
Initial reports said soldiers and policemen were fired upon by armed men after they flagged down two vehicles in a checkpoint in Plaridel town at about 3:20 p.m.
The attack prompted the police and military personnel to retaliate, resulting in a firefight.