By Rey Panaligan and Francis Wakefield
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct a parallel probe into the killing of five agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) last Friday in Barangay Malna in Kapai, Lanao del Sur.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra
(TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "I have instructed Director Dante Gierran to investigate the killing of the five PDEA agents in Lanao del Sur and identify the people responsible for this act of cowardice against our anti-narcotics agents," he said in a text message. Guevarra also ordered the NBI to prioritize the probe, build a strong case against the perpetrators and submit immediately its report. Earllier, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. paid his respects to the slain PDEA agents and their families. Galvez also instructed Army Sixth Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana to make sure that all assistance be accorded to the families of the PDEA agents. The slain PDEA agents were Kenneth Tabulo, Kristine Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar, Binzo Dipolla, and Diobel Pacinio. Two other persons, Rachel Gentapanan and Normina Dicay, were wounded and are still undergoing treatment at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City. Based on the initial investigation, the victims were onboard a white van going to Marawi City after attending a program for drug surrenderers in Tagoloan when they were waylaid by a still undetermined number of suspects. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino had said this act of “inhumanity and cowardice” that took the lives of their comrades in a surprise attack will not just pass as another common incident in their everyday operations on the fight against illegal drugs. Reports also stated that Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have offered cash incentives for informants who will help authorities identify the culprits.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra(TOTO LOZANO/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN) "I have instructed Director Dante Gierran to investigate the killing of the five PDEA agents in Lanao del Sur and identify the people responsible for this act of cowardice against our anti-narcotics agents," he said in a text message. Guevarra also ordered the NBI to prioritize the probe, build a strong case against the perpetrators and submit immediately its report. Earllier, Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Carlito Galvez Jr. paid his respects to the slain PDEA agents and their families. Galvez also instructed Army Sixth Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana to make sure that all assistance be accorded to the families of the PDEA agents. The slain PDEA agents were Kenneth Tabulo, Kristine Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar, Binzo Dipolla, and Diobel Pacinio. Two other persons, Rachel Gentapanan and Normina Dicay, were wounded and are still undergoing treatment at the Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City. Based on the initial investigation, the victims were onboard a white van going to Marawi City after attending a program for drug surrenderers in Tagoloan when they were waylaid by a still undetermined number of suspects. PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino had said this act of “inhumanity and cowardice” that took the lives of their comrades in a surprise attack will not just pass as another common incident in their everyday operations on the fight against illegal drugs. Reports also stated that Lanao del Sur Vice Gov. Mamintal Adiong Jr. and Gov. Mujiv Hataman of the Autonomous Region for Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) have offered cash incentives for informants who will help authorities identify the culprits.