PNP eyes mistaken identity in ambush-slay of PDEA agents

PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. INQUIRER.net file photo

Investigators are looking into a possibility that a case of mistaken identity was the reason behind the killing of five agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Lanao del Sur, Philippine National Police (PNP) Spokesperson Chief Supt. Benigno Durana Jr. said on Tuesday.

Durana said that an anti-drug operation was launched by the Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit (PDEU) in the province last August, where a drug personality was killed.

Durana said the masterminds of the killing could be avenging on their slain cohort, but they instead mistakenly targeted agents of the PDEA, which he said sounded like PDEU.

READ: 5 PDEA agents killed, 2 others injured in Lanao del Sur ambush

“Medyo [It is somehow a] mistaken identity because prior to that [incident] sometime in August, merong [there was an] anti-illegal drugs operation that resulted to the death of one of the suspects,” he said in a press briefing.

“Alam niyo naman sa area na ‘yan, bawi-bawi eh [You know in that area, the practice of revenge exists],” Durana added.

READ: At least 5 suspects eyed in slay of PDEA agents — PNP

He said, however, that it could be too early to conclude since investigation is still ongoing.

He also revealed that investigators have already identified at least five suspects in the ambush. Durana said cases of multiple murder and frustrated murder could be filed against them on Tuesday or Wednesday. /jpv