Authorities released the CCTV footage of the deadly encounter in Cubao, Quezon City on Tuesday, which led to the death of three drug suspects.
According to Jun Veneracion’s report on “24 Oras” on Thursday, the footage showed that one of the drug suspects was cornered by a cop. This will eventually lead to the shootout between the suspects and the Philippine National Police Drug Enforcement Group (PDEG).
Another suspect was able to escape immediately, while another one exchanged fire with the cops.
The encounter also wounded a police officer and a civilian informant inside a vehicle.
“Probably ang intention nila is to set up itong mga would be victims na hindi naman nila alam na pulis…maitatakbo nila yung stuff at makukuha pa yung pera,” said PDEG acting director P/BGen. Elmer Ragay.
(Probably their intention was to set up these would-be victims, who, they didn’t know were police… so they would be able to run off with the stuff and still get the money.)
The police seized 10 bricks of illegal drugs and three firearms from the suspects.
But in the video obtained by GMA Integrated News at the crime scene, what looked like pansit noodles was found inside the box carried by one of the suspects. PDEG did not deny it, but they still have to wait for the examination results.
“Officially nasa report namin yun na it would appear na 10 bricks consisting of containing what looks like noodles with powdery substances. So we were waiting for the official result of the lab exam,” said Ragay.
(Officially, that is in our report, that it would appear that 10 bricks consisting of what looks like noodles with powdery substances. So we were waiting for the official result of the lab exam.)
Meanwhile, the PNP-IAS will investigate the operation as part of standard operating procedure, which PDEG has welcomed.
Authorities are still hunting for the fourth drug suspect. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News
