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PDEA links local officials, police officers to ambush

PDEA links local officials, police officers to ambush

By Francine Ciasico

By Chito Chavez The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said two to three local officials and possibly some police officers in Lanao Del Sur were involved in Friday’s ambush that killed five PDEA agents and wounded another agent and a civilian.

PDEA Dir Aaron Aquino speaks during a press conference at the PDEA headquarters in Quezon City, April 25 2018. (Mark BAlmores / MANILA BULLETIN)

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino speaks (Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN) PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino noted that they already have the names of around 10 of the personalities involved in the ambush. He added that some other persons of interest including some politicians are included in the list of suspects. Aquino chief issued the statement as the Philippine National Police (PNP) relieved the four policemen escorts of the PDEA agents. The PDEA agents on board a van were on their way to their office in Cotabato City after coming from a program for drug surrenderees in Tagoloan, Lanao Del Sur when they were ambushed. Aquino said witnesses claimed the police escorts overtook the van carrying the PDEA agents speeding away minutes before the ambush. PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said the police escorts were unable to fend off the attackers as they were only armed with short firearms. The agency is looking into the angle of vendetta for the motive of the ambush. Reports disclosed that local residents want authorities to check a local drug ring for their possible involvement in the attack. They noted that the ambush of the PDEA-ARMM agents could be in retaliation for the death several months ago of a drug dealer while in custody of authorities. It was disclosed that the suspect was killed after trying to attack law enforcement authorities while in captivity.

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