THE National Bureau of Investigation is set to conduct a parallel investigation into the killing of five agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Kapai, Lanao del Sur, last Friday.
Justice Secretary Menardo I. Guevarra said he has issued a directive to NBI Director Dante A. Gierran to look into the circumstances surrounding the ambush-slay of Kenneth Tabulo, Kristine May Torlao, Joy Amar, Binzo Dipolla and Diobel Pacinio. All five were PDEA-Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao agents.
“I have instructed Gierran to identify the people responsible for this act of cowardice against our anti-narcotics agents,” Guevarra told reporters in a text message.
The justice secretary said the NBI has been ordered to give priority to the incident and immediately submit its findings to his office.
Earlier, Lanao del Sur Gov. Bedjoria Soraya Alonto Adiong has appealed to the Philippine National Police to probe the killing of the PDEA agents.
“We assure the families of our fallen agents that we will urgently conduct a full investigation to identify the shameless criminals who committed this crime…. Their death will not go in vain,” PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino earlier said. “We will fight even more with fierce commitment and determination.”