The two Philippine National Police (PNP) officers faced Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) agents in Quezon City on Wednesday night. Three PDEA agents were also wounded in the confrontation and admitted to hospital.
Police from the Special Operations Unit in Quezon City Police District conducted a drug-buying operation in a fast-food parking lot when they found out they were dealing with PDEA agents. The shootout took place shortly thereafter; the exact circumstances of the shooting are not yet clear.
Authorities launched parallel investigations through both a joint PNP-PDEA investigation and an investigation by the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation.
“What is clear from now on … the PDEA’s special enforcement services were in the area on an identification operation,” said PDEA spokesman Derrick Carreon.
“We will leave it to the Joint Board of Inquiry. We will see the documents tomorrow. Our priority for now is to pay attention to our wounded staff,” Carreon said.
PNP spokesman Brig. General Ildebrandi Usana told PNA that the incident, although serious, would in no way affect the ongoing operational relationship and coordination they had long confirmed in the fight against illegal drugs. ‘
“In the interest of establishing the truth behind the incident, a joint PNP-PDEA investigation board will be formed to determine what happened and who should be held accountable,” Usana said.
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has been waging a “war on drugs” in the country since coming to power in 2016 by encouraging severe repression of drug dealers and addicts. According to police reports and human rights groups, thousands of people were killed during the often violent campaign.