Drug ring eyed in slay of PDEA officer

A big drug syndicate could be behind the killing of Jesus “Jessie” Tabanao, Information Officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

This was revealed by Supt. Reycel Carmelo Dayon, head of the Special Investigation Task Group Tabanao.

Dayon revealed they already retrieved some messages from Tabanao’s cellular phone.

However, he refused to divulge the content of the text messages as this may hamper their investigation.

They checked recent messages as well as those sent and received for the past six months.

Dayon revealed that the night Tabanao was shot dead on Escario Street in barangay Kamputhaw, he was supposed to meet up with an informant of a drug case he is pursuing.

The police are yet to determine if the tipster who sent text messages to Tabanao was also the gunman.

Dayon added Tabanao requested PDEA Central Office to reconsider his transfer  to Butuan and his request letter revealed important details that could help in the investigation.

The task force also coordinated with the office of the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group in Central Visayas (CIDG-7) and Anti-Cybercrime Group (ACG) where the cellular phones were turned over for forensic examination.

Chief Insp. Romeo Santander, chief of City Intelligence Branch (CIB), said they are hopeful to get more witnesses.

Tabanao was a former radioman before he joined the PDEA. His wife, Katrina, who is due to deliver their second child next month, said she never noticed that her husband had enemies.

She added Tabanao did not share work-related matters to him.  /Correspondent Chito O. Aragon