NBI probe into PNP-PDEA shootout almost over

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is concluding its investigation into the “misencounter” between the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in February, in which four people were killed.

The NBI showed to ABS-CBN News the reconstruction of the crime scene of the PDEA and PNP shooting, based on the ballistics test done on the guns of the two sides, the recovered bullets, and ammunition, as well as their position in the CCTV footage.

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“Forensics investigation will be compared and [we will] cross match pieces of evidence sa statements and affidavits,” said NBI spokesperson Ferdinand Lavin.

It turns out that both the PNP and PDEA had problems in planning their drug operation.

Police admitted they used inmate assets to conduct a buy-bust operation.

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“Considering the restrictions of the pandemic ngayon napakahirap kumuha ng court order . . . Justified yan under Article 11 [ng Revised Penal Code] na puwede kang gumawa ng harm kung ang pakay mo doon ay iwasan ang mas malaking harm,” said Noharddin Haron, a lawyer.

The QCPD also denied the speculation that a “palit-ulo (head exchange)” would have been done to the said prisoner.

NBI probe into PNP-PDEA shootout almost over

On the PDEA side, their team leader explained that they trusted their asset to provide information about the dealer. But it is not clear what their asset and the dealer discussed.

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“It’s too early pero we’re looking at both agencies in their operational lapses… We will also look into whether PNP or PDEA followed their own operational procedures and protocols in this conduct of operation,” said Lavin.

A total of 36 policemen and 15 PDEA agents have already given their statements.

The NBI is summoning others to determine which of them assaulted the PDEA members who were captured by CCTV.

“We are looking at unnecessary use of deadly force, excessive force. Kung nakadapa na kailangan pa ba sipain?” said Lavin.

The NBI admitted that they had difficulty in investigating because their agents and those they were investigating were both COVID-19.

They hope they would file cases before the end of the month.