5 PDEA agents slain in Lanao Sur ambush

MANILA, Philippines — Five agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) were killed while two others were wounded in an ambush in Kapai, Lanao del Sur yesterday.

The fatalities were identified as Kenneth Tabulo, Binzo Dipolla, Diobel Pacinio, Kristine Mae Torlao and Lores Joy Amar.

Another PDEA agent Rachel Gentapanan and Normina Dacay, a non-uniformed personnel of the Tagoloan police, were wounded and remained confined in a hospital.

The victims were in a van on their way to Marawi after attending a program for drug surrenderees in Tagoloan when they were waylaid in Barangay Malna at around noon.

Chief Superintendent Graciano Mijares, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao police director, said probers have yet determine who were behind the ambush.

“What we know is there is a presence of Maute rebels in the area,” Mijares said.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino condemned the ambush as an ”act of inhumanity and cowardice.”

”We will use all our resources to put these animals in jail... We will intensify our campaign against illegal operations,” Aquino said.

He said the death of PDEA agents would not be in vain, adding that they would never bow to the threats of drug rings.

Cebu killings

Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde said they would look into allegations that police officers were behind the killing of five persons whose bodies were dumped in  Barangay Malubog in Cebu City on Thursday.

A habal-habal driver, who claimed he survived the shooting, told a radio interview that he and one of the fatalities were picked up by police officers at a mall in Barangay Guadalupe.

He said they were forced to ride a van, which was later found riddled with bullets. – With Romina Cabrera