Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra. INQUIRER file photo / MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines – Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra has ordered the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to conduct its own investigation on the shootout between members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) anti-illegal drug operatives and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents near a mall on Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City Wednesday.
“This is separate and distinct from the probe to be conducted by an ad hoc joint PNP-PDEA Board of Inquiry earlier announced by PNP chief Debold Sinas,” Guevarra said in a text message to reporters.
The joint PNP-PDEA Board of Inquiry was created by Sinas to look into the details surrounding the incident that left two police officers dead and several others wounded.
The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will be the lead investigating body of the joint probe while National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) Director, Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. has been designated to speak on any updates from the PNP to keep the public informed of accurate and relevant information.
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