PNP turns over shootout evidence to probers

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) has turned over evidence it gathered to the case investigator probing the shootout with agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City on Feb. 24.

The evidence gathered by the PNP Crime Laboratory included bundles of marked money found in PDEA vehicles, cell phones, fingerprints and autopsy results as well as point trajectories, ballistics, drug tests and paraffin tests.

“We have turned over other pieces of evidence to the IOC (investigator-on-case) and we are waiting for the complete turnover of these evidence to the National Bureau of Investigation,” PNP Crime Laboratory chief Brig. Gen. Steve Ludan said.

Three anti-narcotics operatives and an alleged civilian informant were killed in the shootout.

Senate probe sought

Sen. Risa Hontiveros filed Senate Resolution 667, urging the committee on public order and dangerous drugs to look into law enforcement protocols to avoid a repeat of the shootout.

“Is the operation carried out by police officers illegal under the law? Could it be that some of them are openly selling drugs? We, in the Senate, are well within our rights to investigate this further, especially that the details are still unclear,” Hontiveros said.

Sen. Ralph Recto said the incident underscored the need for police officers involved in anti-drug operations to use body cameras.

At the House of Representatives, Surigao del Norte Rep. Robert Barbers said the shootout could have been avoided if only Congress had approved proposals to compel law enforcers to wear body cameras. – Delon Porcalla, Cecille Suerte Felipe