300-page Atimonan report now in Malacañang

MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Leila de Lima has submitted to Malacañang on Thursday, February 7 the report of the National Bureau of Investigation on the alleged shootout in Atimonan, Quezon.

The report was submitted more than a month after the incident happened on January 6.  A total of 13 people who were suspected members of a robbery gang were killed in the alleged shootout with 23 officials of the Philippine National Police and 25 members of the military. 

De Lima left the DOJ in Padre Faura, Manila, at 12:30 pm to give the report, which is over 300-pages long. She said a presidential assistant received it. President Benigno Aquino III was in Cavite.

De Lima is mum on earlier reports that the NBI has recommended the filing of murder charges against Police Supt Hansel Marantan, who was in charge of the checkpoint in Atimonan, Quezon. She stood by her initial observations though and told reporters at the Palace that what happened on January 6 was not a shootout, saying witnesses said those who were killed did not fire at Marantan’s team.

Three witnessses have said that the 13 were shot in cold blood. Another witness – Rolando Vico – said though that the police were shot at first. 

De Lima told reporters at the DOJ that they will probe those who leaked the findings of the report and possibly invite for questioning the media organizations that published and aired stories on them. She said those who leaked the results may be suspended for insubordination. – Rappler.com