Fairview misencounter prompts Senate panel to probe Commonwealth PNP-PDEA shootout

The recent misencounter between the Philippine National Police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Fairview, Quezon City prompted the Senate public order and dangerous drugs committee to conduct Monday its investigation into the shootout that happened in February.

Senator Ronald dela Rosa, committee chairman, said the public was reminded of the February shootout at the parking lot of a mall in Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City because of the misencounter in Fairview.

“Just a week ago, another misencounter between the operatives of PDEA and the QCPD, Novaliches Station Drugs Enforcement Unit happened in a mall parking lot. Lumamig na sana itong isyu na ito. Kumalma na sana pero nangyari na naman itong sa Novaliches,” he said in his opening remarks.

“Baka sabihin ng mga tao na masyado na kaming nagpabaya sa Senado particularly ang committee on dangerous drugs kaya this committee deemed it proper to continue this investigation,” he added.

He urged those responsible for the shootout and misencounter to admit their mistake.

“Kung sinuman ang nagkamali dito, sana may bayag tayong humarap at aminin kung sino ang nagkamali, anong pagkakamali. The truth will set us free, huwag tayong matakot sa lalabas sa imbestigasyon na ito. We are trained to be a commander, ‘yung commander naman is responsible enough to take responsibility for what his unit fails or succeeds in doing any operation,” he said.

The Senate committee deferred the hearing twice, first, after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the National Bureau of Investigation to conduct its own inquiry on the matter; second, when police and PDEA officials tested positive for COVID-19. —KG, GMA News