PDEA agent killed in Sorsogon City

MANILA, Philippines - An operative of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency was killed during ambush by unidentified gunmen in Sorsogon City, the PDEA said on Tuesday.

PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. identified the victim as Intelligence Officer 1 Arnel Estrellado, a member of the Drug Enforcement Officers’ Basic Course Class 2010-04, "Sandiglahi" of the agency's academy.

In a report by Regional Director Archie Grande of PDEA Regional Office 5, last Mar. 22, around 2:30 p.m, motorcycle-riding gunmen shot Estrellado in front of a canteen in Brgy. Tugos, Sorsogon City.

The two gunmen immediately fled, speeding toward Barangay Pangpang, the report said.

Cacdac said that Estrellado bore five gunshot wounds on the body.

He said that the following day, Estrellado’s daughter, who witnessed the shooting incident, was able to identify the perpetrators through a line-up of mug shots provided by the Albay Police Provincial Office.

Police managed to arrest the suspects in  Oas, Albay hours later. However, the identities of the suspects are being withheld pending an ongoing investigation.