FIVE agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pdea) in Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) were killed while two others were wounded in an ambush perpetrated by undetermined gunmen in Barangay Malna, Kapai, Lanao del Sur.

Based on the report from Police Regional Office of Armm, the incident happened around 12 p.m. involving the personnel of Pdea while onboard of a white Toyota van towards Marawi City. Prior to the incident, they attended a program for drug surrenderers at Tagoloan Municipal Police Station (MPS).

The fatalities were identified as Kenneth Tabulo, Kristine Mae Torlao, Lores Joy Amar and Binzo Dipolla who were declared dead on arrival while Diobel Pacinio died while undergoing treatment. The injured were likewise identified as Pdea agent Rachel Gentapanan and civilian Normina Dicay who is a non-uniformed personnel of Tagoloan MPS. They are now seeking medical treatment at Amai Pakpak Medical Center in Marawi City.

Authorities are conducting investigation to determine the assailants.

Pdea 11 Assistant Director Lawyer Behn Joseph Tesiorna was saddened with the unfortunate incident of their fellow agents. He said that Armm is known to be the hotbed of narcopoliticians and has been the source of drugs in Davao region.

With the recent ambush incident involving Pdea personnel, Tesiorna said that it is inevitable since they are in the frontline of the drug war. They are highly susceptible to threats whenever they come across with big time drug personalities.