By Deighton Acuin

PHOTO: ABS-CBN News/PCOO

Malacañang on Thursday said President Rodrigo Duterte was concerned over fatal exchange between agents from Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and members of the police on Wednesday night.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said in an online briefing the President vowed that justice will be served after the incident claiming three lives.

"The President, of course, expressed both sadness and concern bakit nangyari nga ito na kapwa tao ng gobyerno ay nagkaputukan," Roque said.

"Ang in-assure niya, gaya ng nangyari sa Sulu, ay we will get to the bottom of this incident, magkakaroon po ng partial investigation at justice will be done," he added.

According to National Capital Region Police Office Director Major General Vicente Danao, two of the fatalities during the Commonwealth Avenue “misencounter” were police officers.

The third fatality was seen being brought out in a white van that reportedly belongs to PDEA agents past 1:00 a.m. Thursday.

Both PNP and PDEA have claimed their anti-drug operations in the area were legitimate. A joint probe will be done to determine why the operations ended into fatal encounter.

The Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) will be the lead investigating body regarding the incident. PNP Chief General Debold Sinas said.


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