PNP orders investigation into ambush of two alleged hitmen in police custody

February 27, 2019

Philippine National Police (PNP) Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered an investigation into an ambush of two suspected hitmen in Manila despite being in custody of two police officers.

Albayalde directed the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to look into the shooting Tuesday afternoon at the corner of Lacson and Fajardo streets.

He tasked National Capital Region Police Director Guillermo Eleazar to conduct a similar probe.

“I have asked the IAS and NCRPO to find out why this happened,''  Albayalde told reporters in an interview.

Alleged hitmen Apolonio Flores and Prince Patrick Cortez, with two cops,  were in a vehicle when at least eight men on four motorcycles appeared.

The assailants  disarmed the two policemen, shot Flores and Cortez before fleeing.

Albayalde wondered why there were only two policemen escorted the   hitmen.

The two alleged hitmen were arrested on Monday for  illegal possession of firearms, ammunition and explosives in relation to the Omnibus Election Code.  DMS