ARMM gov condemns ambush-slay of PDEA agents in Lanao de Sur

ZAMBOANGA CITY—Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) Gov. Mujiv Hataman condemned the killing of antidrug agents on Friday in the town of Kapai, Lanao del Sur province.

In a statement, Hataman said the agents were killed in the line of duty.

A report from the ARMM regional police said the ambush took place at the village of Malna in Kapai around noon.

The report said the agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), who attended a program for surrendered drug suspects in Tagoloan town, were aboard a white Toyota Fortuner when unidentified men waylaid and ambushed them in Malna.

Manhunt

Four died on the spot while the other died in a hospital in Marawi City. The sixth victim remains in critical condition at the intensive care unit of a hospital.

They were identified as Kenneth Tabulo, Kristine Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar, Binzo Dipolla, and Diobel Pacinio. The sixth victim, Rachel Gentapanan, is still fighting for her life at the hospital. All of them are PDEA agents.

Senior Insp. Jemar Delos Santos, spokesperson for the ARMM regional police, said the Lanao del Sur police and soldiers had already launched a manhunt for the assailants.

A PDEA source, who asked not to be named, said the agents could have committed a security lapse by traveling without the other law enforcers with them. — REPORTS FROM JULIE ALIPALA, EDWIN FERNANDEZ AND JIGGER JERUSALEM