PDEA: Death of agent in drug bust won’t discourage ranks

The facade of the headquarters of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Quezon City. (Photo from the PDEA Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) remembered on Tuesday the death of one of its agents in a buy-bust operation the day before in Ipil town, Zamboanga Sibugay province, saying that the incident would not discourage its personnel in fighting the drug menace.

“The whole family of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency is saddened by the death of one of our agents, Jack Roland Bastatas,” PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said in a statement. “He was a good father to a newly-Christened child whom he left home to join the operations in Zamboanga. He was also a good son and a loving brother to his siblings.”

Bastatas died after the subjects of the bust fired at the PDEA vehicle, which also wounded a police officer during the operation on Monday. Three drug suspects were also killed, while another was arrested.

READ: PDEA agent, 3 suspects dead in Zambo Sibugay drug bust

“Yes, we lost another comrade, but we will not be discouraged. We will remain as strong as ever and as determined to fight this battle, remaining true to our vow to eventually eradicate the illegal drug menace,” Aquino said.

He said the PDEA would “continue [its] stance against illegal drug operators, notwithstanding the danger, for it will be [our] honor to die in the line of duty if [we] have to.”

“All PDEA agents will remember this sad incident but not to stop but to work harder and persistently conquer this battle with renewed commitment,” he said.

/atm