COTABATO CITY – The regional government of the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao has provided assistance to families of the five Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents killed during the Oct. 5 ambush in Kapai, Lanao del Sur.
“The ARMM government has extended PHP100,000 each to the bereaved families of the five PDEA agents,” Myrna Jocelyn Henry, Humanitarian Emergency Action Response Team (ARMM-HEART) media relations officer said on Monday.
PDEA agents Kenneth Tabulo, Kristine Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar, and Binzo Dipolla died on the spot, and Diobel Pacinio expired while undergoing treatment at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City.
Two more victims, identified as PDEA agent Rachel Gentapanan and non-uniformed police personnel Normina Dicay, are still confined at the hospital after sustaining injuries.
The agents were on board a Toyota van vehicle on their way to Marawi City after attending a drug symposium in the town of Tagoloan ll when waylaid by a still unidentified armed group in Barangay Malna, Kapai town.
“The remains of the slain PDEA personnel, properly accorded with decent funeral services, are currently at the Army’s 6th Infantry Division chapel in Barangay Awang, Datu Odin Sinsuat, Maguindanao.
They would later be sent to their respective families for burial,” Henry said. She added that ARMM-HEART has also settled the medical bills of the two surviving ambush victims.
ARMM Governor Mujiv Hataman said the regional government will also grant a cash reward for anyone who could provide information leading to the arrest of the perpetrators. (/PNA)
