PDEA-PNP ‘misencounter’ won’t happen in Central Visaya — top cops

CEBU, Philippines —  The botched shootout between the police and anti-drug agents in Quezon City on Wednesday will not happen in Central Visayas.

Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 regional director Levi Ortiz and Cebu City Police Office chief Josefino Ligan made the assurance yesterday.

They cited strong coordination and communication among the two units.

“PDEA-7 is closely coordinating and communicating with the police and other law enforcement agencies in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations. I can assure the public that similar incident will not happen in the region,” said Ortiz.

Ligan, for his part, the Quezon shootout was an “isolated case”.

“Coordination with concerned agency is our primary objective. Coordination is important. With that, ang dagan sa relasyon sa PDEA ug sa PNP sa Region 7 magpadayon nga nindot.”

"The incident will not ruin our relationship and partnership with PDEA,” he said.

A gunfight erupted near the Ever Gotesco Mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City before 6 pm on February 24.  Reports said that it lasted nearly an hour.

The PNP later confirmed that the shootout was between operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and members of the Quezon City Police District.

Police Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr., Metro Manila’s top cop, said two policemen were killed and another was in critical condition during the botched buy-bust operation. Three PDEA operatives were also wounded.

The operatives were conducting a sanctioned anti-drug operation in the area.

Authorities said the incident showed a lack of coordination between and intel for the law enforcement agencies.

The PDEA-PNP “misencounter” is still being investigated. — KQD (FREEMAN)