Rallos received death threats before his ambush

CEBU, Philippines — Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) – 7 assistant operations chief Baby “Earl” Rallos received several death threats along with the other anti-narcotics agents before he was killed in an ambush Friday last week.

PDEA-7 Director Emerson Margate confirmed yesterday that Rallos and other operatives had been getting threats because of their work.

“May death threats na natatangap. Hindi lang siya, ang iba ding kasamahan,” Margate said.

Margate said he had been reminding his operatives to exercise extra security measures because their enemies have plenty of money.

“Sa trabaho natin ay kailangan talaga mag-ingat ka always, expect sa worst na mangyayari. Triple ingat talaga sa trabaho. Mapagmatyag sa kapaligiran dahil alam naman natin na ang drugs ay napakahirap na trabaho and napakadaming pera ng kalaban natin,” Margate said.

He said the PDEA-7 is conducting its own investigation but assured they will cooperate with the police. A Special Investigation Task Group (SITG) was already created by the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) to investigate the case. The team is led by Chief  Inspector Maria Theresa Macatangay.

Although there were insinuations that the killing could be linked to Rallos’ possible involvement in the illegal drug trade, Margate believes that it was work related. In fact, Margate said they are now looking into the drug cases handled by Rallos.

“Since ang work namin is nasa drugs kaya hindi namin dini-discount na iyong mga nabangga natin na drug personalities ang siyang behind this. Isa ito sa mga possibilities na tinitingnan natin. Nag-process of elimination tayo doon sa mga kaso na nahawakan niya and after that tingnan natin kung sino ang may capability, kung sino ang may galit talaga sa kanya,” Margate said.

Rallos was on his way home from PDEA office on board his Toyota Altis when motorcycle-riding gunmen shot him dead several meters away from Cebu Provincial Capitol compound.

The Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) recovered three packs of suspected shabu from the baggage compartment of his vehicle. Also recovered were three firearms, including an M14 riffle, 9mm and caliber .45 pistol.

“Pinaiimbistigahan natin kung bakit mayroon. Hinihintay pa ang report ng SOCO kung shabu nga o hindi iyung nakuha,” said Margate.

Margate, however, clarified that it is prohibited for anyone, including PDEA agents, to bring illegal drugs unless there is a travel order from the court for presentation of evidence purposes or for crime laboratory testing. Marenyl Bolhano and Jeffrey Legara (FREEMAN)