LEGAZPI CITY -- Law enforcement authorities have launched a manhunt against the unidentified killers of a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) officer in a village in Lupi, Camarines Sur, said PDEA-Bicol Regional Director Christian Frivaldo on Tuesday.
Enrico Barba, PDEA assistant provincial officer of Camarines Norte, was found dead in Barangay Napolidan, Lupi town, at around 10 a.m. on Monday, a police report said.
The report said the victim's body -- with a cardboard written with “Wag Tularan, Tulak Ako” -- was dumped at a concrete canal. His hands were tied and his mouth was wrapped with packaging tape.
Frivaldo, in an interview, said the victim was reported missing around the same time his body was found.
Barba was said to have met with an informant in Daet town regarding illegal drug activities in the area.
Frivaldo, quoting an autopsy report, said the victim sustained several gunshot wounds in his body.
“The contusions and head trauma was a clear sign that he was tortured before he was gunned down,” he said.
Joint elements of PDEA, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) were tasked to conduct a thorough investigation and arrest the suspects behind the killing of Barba.
“The investigation is being undertaken by the PNP and the NBI as of this moment. We will work fully with our counterparts to identify the perpetrators of this cowardly act which is considered as an attack, an affront to the anti-drug endeavor of the Bicol Region,” Frivaldo said.
He believes the death of his agent was work-related since the victim was casing illegal drug operations in the province.
Frivaldo said the victim had also led anti-illegal drug operations in Albay province. (PNA)
