PDEA has leads on death of assistant provincial officer in Camarines Sur

February 21, 2019

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) said drug syndicates may possibly be behind the death of their assistant provincial officer in Camarines Norte.

PDEA Director Irish Calaguas said the investigation on the death of Intelligence Officer II Enrico Barba, 40, last February 18, 2019 '' is in full swing.''

“Our regional director in Region V is coordinating with other law enforcement agencies like PNP (Philippine National Police) and NBI (National Bureau of Investigation),” said Calaguas in a press briefing.

Calaguas said they have possible leads and persons of interest.

“Definitely, it’s connected to drug syndicate but I cannot go further because that might jeopardize the investigation,” she said.

Calaguas said even though this is an unfortunate incident, the government is still winning their fight against illegal drugs.

“On the part of PDEA, we know how dangerous our job (is) and our agents are ready for it… the government is still winning because it is natural that we have casualties,” she said.

“I would like to assure the public that our director general (Aaron Aquino) is doing everything to have justice serve,” she added.

Barba was found dead in Barangay Napolidan, municipality of Lupi in Camarines Sur, at a concrete canal. He was facing upward, with his hands and mouth tied and wrapped with packaging tape.  Ella Dionisio/DMS