"We were informed by residents about a shooting incident in Pigca-wayan town but when we arrived there, we did not see indications of any gun battle," Inspector Raulito Suyom said.
"Definitely there was no encounter. There was no exchange of fire," Suyom said by telephone.
He said no police or military unit had coordinated with him. Asked to explain the discrepancy, Ebdane said there had been "no time" to coordinate with local police, and that he apologized to the regional governor for not informing him and his men on the operation.
Ebdane also denied that the timing of al-Ghozi's killing had anything to do with Bush's visit.
"We don't consider any connection between the slaying of al-Ghozi and Bush. This is a routine operation," Ebdane said.
Rumors have swirled in recent weeks that a Muslim rebel group had captured al-Ghozi and was negotiating his handover to the government.
The government had announced a reward of 10 million pesos (US$183,000) for al-Ghozi, dead or alive.
Ebdane said a group of civilians would receive the reward.
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