Commonwealth shooting a ‘misencounter’ between PNP and PDEA; 2 die – police
MANILA, Philippines — A shooting incident that occurred near a mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City early Wednesday evening appeared to be a “misencounter” between operatives of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA). Two persons were killed.
According to Metro Manila police chief Major Gen. Vicente Danao, the two individuals killed were policemen while four others – a police officer and three PDEA operatives – were “badly injured.”
“We have a very unfortunate incident that happened at [6:30] p.m. This is a legitimate operation on both sides coming from PDEA and Drug Enforcement Unit of QCPD. A very unfortunate incident that happened. Whoever is at fault and whatever the reason will still be investigated,” Danao, speaking parlty in Filipino, told reporters.
“Initially, we have two coming from the PNP who were killed and one who is badly injured, and I just don’t know about the side of PDEA. I think three were from PDEA. I don’t know if there were killed. They’re still at the hospital,” he added.
Based on a “Sketchy Incident Report ” of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) Station 6 in Batasan Hills, QCPD’s District Special Operations Unit (DSOU) launched a buy-bust operation near the Ever Gotesco Mall. This report was confirmed to INQUIRER.net by a QCPD Station 6 personnel, who requested anonymity, during a follow-up phone interview.
Unknown to the DSOU operatives, they were transacting with PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service (SES) agents.
“QCPD-DSOU personnel conducted a buy-bust operation with complete coordinations and necessary papers. However, during the buy-bust operation the PNP personnel involved (did not know that) [..] the people they were transacting are PDEA Agents,” QCPD’s Station 6 said in the report.
“Allegedly during the (confrontation), PDEA agents first engaged to shot (sic) towards the PNP personnel, leaving no option [for police but] to fight back… [and which] resulted [in] series of injuries (sic) to both parties,” it added.
Earlier, PDEA spokesperson Director Derrick Carreon said their SES was conducting a legitimate anti-drug operation near the mall.
“As of this moment, only one thing is clear— that the PDEA Special Enforcement Service was there on a legitimate operation,” Carreon told reporters.
Board of inquiry formed
In a statement, PNP spokesman Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana revealed that a board of inquiry would be formed to determine what happened and who should be held liable.
According to Usana, the PNP chief, General Debold Sinas designated the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) as the lead investigating body. Meanwhile, the RD NCRPO was designated to update the public on any developments.
In a separate statement, the Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte appealed to residents to refrain from posting fake reports about the shootout on social media to avoid scaring or confusing the public.
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