PNP files raps against 10 suspects in ambush-slay of PDEA agents

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has filed charges of murder and frustrated murder against 10 suspects in the ambush-slay in Kapai, Lanao del Sur of five Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents.

PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said they have also identified the 10 suspects as being members of a drug trafficking group.

“Meron na pong na-identify na sampu dyan […] na-file na po ng kaso ‘yan,” Albayalde said in an interview with DZBB on Wednesday.

He said it appears that the ambush was in retaliation for a successful anti-drug campaign in the area by the PDEA in August.

“Mukang retaliation po ‘yon nangyari.  Naging collateral damage yung mga agents ng PDEA,” he added.

Last Friday, the five PDEA agents had just attended a program in the nearby Tagoloan town when they were ambushed in Barangay Malna in Kapai.  PDEA has condemned the attack as a ‘cowardly’ act.

In previous reports, PDEA Chief Director General Aaron Aquino said they were also looking into the involvement of some local politicians in the ambush, including a Marawi City councilor. Aquino said the gunmen were related to these politicians.

Policemen who served as escorts to the slain PDEA agents have also been disarmed and relieved from their assignments after Aquino had accused them of being involved in the ambush.

Two survivors of the ambush — a female PDEA agent and a Tagoloan police officer — said the police convoy that served as their escort, sped up and left them behind just minutes before the ambush.  /muf

READ: PDEA looks into involvement of pols, cops in ambush-slay of anti-drug agents

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

READ: Ambushed PDEA agents didn’t ask for police escort – chief