MANILA — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday announced that it is set to file cases against the suspects in the ambush that killed five Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) members and wounded two others in Kapai, Lanao del Sur.
“Sa ngayon (For now), base sa (based on the) investigation ng (of) SITG (Special Investigation Task Group), meron na po tayong (we already have) suspects. I just talked with the RD (Regional Director) of PRO ARMM (Police Regional Office-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao) at there may be cases that would be filed against the suspects. We have very good developments. Hindi lang natin mabigay ngayon kasi (We cannot disclose their identities for now because) it may compromise ongoing investigation. We have identified the suspects, the cases will be filed against them as we speak. Probably today or tomorrow,” he told reporters.
Durana said they would file multiple murder and frustrated murder cases against the suspects, adding that the motive of the ambush is the aggressive campaign against illegal drugs in Lanao del Sur and nearby areas.
“Well, related pa rin sa drugs kasi medyo (it is still somehow related to drugs as there is a case of) mistaken identity. Apparently, prior to that sometime in August, meron pong (there were) anti-illegal drugs operations that resulted (in) the death of one of the suspects so alam nyo naman doon sa area na yan, bawi-bawi (you know how it goes in those areas, payback time),” he stressed.
Durana also said the four cops, including the chief of police of Tagaloan II, had been relieved and all of them were being subjected to investigation based on the agreement of PNP and PDEA.
“They’ve agreed so that they will be not suspected that we are going to whitewash it,” he said.
Durana also said the National Bureau of Investigation will conduct a probe to determine whether or not the cops intentionally abandoned the PDEA agents before the ambush.
“(We) would want to make sure (that) not only PDEA at the Filipino people na our investigation is impartial. We don’t condone any act, malfiesance of criminal act of our people kaya ni-relieve sila (that is why they were relieved). To give way to our very partial of our investigation and they added into it. They brought NBI to the investigation para to make sure na magkaroon ng (that there will be an) impartial investigation,” he explained. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
