Aftermath of a shootout near Ever Gotesco Mall in Quezon City on Feb. 24, 2021. PDEA agents were seen lying on the ground. Photo from PNP-PIO
MANILA, Philippines — The Senate will postpone its upcoming probe of the fatal “misencounter” in Quezon City between operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP), Senator Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa said on Saturday.
This, after Palace spokesman Harry Roque said that President Rodrigo Duterte will ask both chambers of Congress to delay its investigation on the shootout to allow the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to probe the matter.
“Yes, we acceded to his request,” dela Rosa, who is a former PNP chief himself, told INQUIRER.net in a text message when asked if the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee will push through with its probe.
The Senate dangerous drugs committee originally scheduled its investigation on the incident for Tuesday, March 2. Dela Rosa, who is the chairman of the panel, earlier said that the hearing was to “ferret out the truth and give opportunity to all parties involved in this unfortunate incident to explain their side.”
Before dela Rosa’s announcement, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III said that the upcoming Senate dangerous drugs hearing will focus not on the shootout, but on his proposed Senate Bill No. 3, which seeks for the creation of the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority.
Asked for comment on dela Rosa’s announcement, Sotto said “It’s up to him.”
“Wala direct connection dapat [yung] hearing. Bahala siya (The hearing shouldn’t have a direct connection. It’s up to him),” the Senate President told INQUIRER.net in a separate text message.
Aside from the Senate, Surigao del Sur 2nd District Rep. Robert Ace Barbers likewise announced that the House of Representatives will also “temporarily suspend” its investigation on the shootout “as a courtesy to and in order not to hinder the ongoing investigation.”