Palace vows justice for slain PDEA agents in Lanao del Sur

Malacañang on Tuesday vowed to bring to justice those behind the killing of five Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents in an ambush in Kapai, Lanao del Sur.

“Nakikiramay ang Palasyo sa mga pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay na naiwan ng limang Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) personnel na pinatay sa isang ambush sa Lanao del Sur noong Biyernes,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said in a press briefing.

“Nagsimula nang gumulong ang imbestigasyon at ang kasong ito ay personal na tutukan mismo ng Pangulo. Makakaasa ang lahat na makakamit ang hustiya sa mga napaslang,” he added.

On Friday, five PDEA agents were killed in Barangay Malna in Kapai, after unidentified gunmen shot them.

Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde added that five police personnel who acted as escorts of the agents have also been disarmed and relieved from their posts.

READ: Gov’t slams ‘cowardly’ killing of PDEA agents in Lanao del Sur

Malacañang also condemned the killing of Executive Judge Edmundo Pintac of the Ozamiz City Regional Trial Court. He was the one who handed the illegal drugs and firearms cases of Nova Princess and Reynaldo Parojinog Jr.

Pintac was killed by still unidentified gunmen in Ozamiz City.

“Inaatasan ng Pangulo ang pamunuan ng Philippine National Police (PNP) na gawin ang lahat upang mahuli sa lalong madaling panahon ang mga taong may kinalaman sa karumal-dumal na krimen na ito,” Roque said.  /muf

READ: Ozamiz City RTC executive judge killed in ambush