ZAMBOANGA CITY – Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-9 (Zamboanga Peninsula) Regional Director Maharani Gaodani Tusoc relieved on Tuesday, May 14, PDEA Zamboanga City Office chief Marvin Santos and 11 other personnel in connection with the escape of seven drug detainees on Monday, May 13.
THE destroyed portion of the ceiling of the PDEA detention facility where the suspects escaped. (Photo via Liza Jocson)
Tusoc said in a press briefing that they were replaced and moved to the regional office to give way to an investigation.
PDEA Chief of Operations Alduz Restor took the place of Marvin Santos who served as chief when seven drug suspects bolted the facility.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/3/p146-2-m-shabu-seized-in-zamboanga-city-buy-bust
Tusoc said they are forming a tracker team composed of soldiers, policemen, jail, and PDEA agents to hunt the escapees.
“Based on the report of the tracking team, the escapees have not yet left Zamboanga City,” Tusoc said.
Initial investigation showed that the suspects broke the ceiling and part of the wall of the detention cell using a piece of metal.
The team is also trying to determine how the suspects were able to get hold of the metal and use it for their escape.
Mayor John Dalipe here has asked the PDEA to probe the escape.
READ: https://mb.com.ph/2024/5/14/pdea-urged-to-probe-escape-of-7-drug-suspects