Senate probe on PNP-PDEA shootout to push through on March 15

MANILA, Philippines — After it was deferred upon President Rodrigo Duterte’s request to Congress, the Senate will finally push through with its investigation on the fatal misencounter between operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday, March 15.

In a statement on Saturday, Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa, chair of the Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs, said that the probe, in aid of legislation, is based on separate resolutions filed by Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III and Sen. Risa Hontiveros.

Also on the agenda of the hearing is Sotto’s Senate Bill No. 3, which seeks for the Presidential Drug Enforcement Authority (PRDEA), which will primarily be the supervising agency for the proper, more effective and efficient implementation of the country’s anti-drug law or Republic Act. No. 9165.

Those invited in the hearing are PDEA director-general Wilkins Villanueva, Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Brig. Gen. Danilo Macerin, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) director Eric Distor and PNP officer in charge Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, among others.

Eleazar will represent PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas, who is currently in quarantine as he tested positive for COVID-19.

It was on Feb. 24 when PDEA and PNP operatives engaged in a deadly shootout along Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City. Five people died due to the “misencounter,” while four others were wounded.

The Senate hearing on the shootout was originally set for March 2, but was deferred upon Duterte’s request to both chambers of Congress to postpone their separate investigations to give way to the NBI’s probe.

JE