DAVAO CITY (October 8)— Police director Oscar Abayalde ordered the relief of all police who escorted the agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) personnel who were killed in an ambush along the highway of barangay Malna, in the municipality of Kapai in Lanao del Sur on October 5.
During the Monday press briefing at Camp Crame, Abayalde said the police escorts of the PDEA are now confined and restricted inside the camp pending investigation.
“The police personnel, I assure you, na relieve na lahat ang mga iyan and they are now relieved and inside the Holding and Accounting Unit,” Abayalde emphasized.
Who is telling the truth?
PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino has earlier said, the ambush took place after the mobile of the police escorts overtook the vehicle carrying the PDEA personnel.
Senior Supt. Ronald Briones, Lanao del Sur police provincial director, said the policemen who escorted the victims were able to return fire.
However, Abayalde said reports reaching him disclosed that the PNP escorts did not return fire.
Abayalde in a press conference earlier said “Hindi ko masabi na iniwan nila, Ang pagkasabi sa akin hindi sila bumalik noong nagkaputukan, kasi ang bitbit nila short arms.”
Investigation and Motive
However, Abayalde assured, “I gave strict instructions to look into this.”
The PNP director said the ambush could be work-related.
Authorities, according to Abayalde are now working on the arrest of persons of interest.
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The ambush killed PDEA agents Kenneth Tabulo, Kristine Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar, and Binzo Dipolla. They were declared dead on arrival by attending physicians at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City.
Another casualty, Diobel Pacinio, died while undergoing treatment at the hospital.
The two wounded personnel, Rachel Gentapanan of PDEA and Tagoloan police non-uniformed personnel Normina Dicay, are still being treated.-Editha Z. Caduaya/NewsLine.ph
