MANILA - The Palace said authorities will conduct a “fair and transparent” investigation into the killing on Monday of Pandoy Morales, an alleged member of the Siman group.

“I understand Secretary Roxas has already ordered an investigation and has assured the public that the results of such investigation will be fair and transparent,” Deputy Presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said.

The Palace also said policemen who refuse to cooperate in the investigation into the Atimonan incident.

A draft Philippine National Police (PNP) report into the incident obtained by ABS-CBN says the injuries of Police Superintendent Hansel Marantan, who led the Atimonan operation, could not be determined because he declined to submit to a physical examination.

"Kung talagang totoo ‘yung mga report na hindi sila nagko-cooperate, Secretary Roxas has already said that he is ready to relieve these policemen if they really refuse to cooperate in the investigation,” Valte said when asked to comment on the report.

Asked if Marantan will be forced to allow investigators to see his injuries, Valte said: “We’ll leave that to the NBI but certainly refusal to cooperate will not be tolerated.”

The Palace declined to comment on photographs that supposedly show that evidence was planted in the crime scene. But Valte said the President has previously stressed his desire to see a thorough investigation into the whole incident.

“The President has already conveyed his assurance that seryoso po tayo in getting to the bottom of the incident. We are also aware of several reports that have been coming out, ‘yung mga partial reports based on the ongoing investigation. Until such time that a report is given to the President, we will not make any comment on these supposed partial findings,” she said.

Valte said that the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), in its investigation, will also make recommendations on the possible culpability of those involved.

Valte is confident that the PNP will rise above this “challenge” to its image following the Atimonan incident.

“Hindi naman sa malabo maiangat. The leadership of the PNP is cognizant of these challenges to them and that they are perfectly willing to accept the challenge and to take it on,” Valte said.