THE POLICE Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR) dissolved the Regional Drug Enforcement Unit (RDEU) after two of its members were allegedly involved in the abduction and killing of an individual.
Brigadier General R’win Pagkalinawan, PRO-COR regional director, said the order to dissolve the unit came after criminal and administrative charges were filed by the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) against the two suspects for the abduction and killing of Harjan Lagman sometime in November.
Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in a national radio interview, confirmed that the identities of the two suspects have been positively identified to be members of the RDEU, who are now both in the custody of the police.
In the interview, Magalong reiterated he would not allow such actions and assured the relatives that appropriate charges will be filed against the suspects.
A video has been circulating on social media showing five persons abducting a male individual, prompting police to widen their investigation that eventually led to the identification and arrest of the two suspects.
BCPO and PRO-COR’s Internal Affairs Unit are currently conducting an in-depth investigation to determine the motive behind the abduction and killing of the individual.
On November 16, while conducting road monitoring, Tublay Municipal Police Station personnel were approached by five construction workers, who reported about a cadaver that was found along Labey-Lacamen Road.
The headless cadaver was later identified as Lagman, 25, a resident of Baguio City.
Lagman's body was discovered on November 12. A black shirt was wrapped around his neck wearing black underwear, brown short pants and black jogging pants.