PDEA agents lose P.5-M rifle to thieves

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency operatives lost an assault rifle after thieves broke into a PDEA service vehicle as it was parked along Maginhawa street in Quezon City Wednesday night.

PDEA spokesperson Derrick Arnold Carreon said the passenger side window of the Starex van was smashed and a Tavor assault rifle stashed under the passenger seat was stolen.

The rifle is valued at P500,000, though the government bought the rifle for P200,000.

Six PDEA agents who used the van met with an informant and had dinner at a store in the area. It was at around 8:45 p.m. when the six agents parked the van some distance from the store.

Carreon said the agents brought with them their short firearms but the assault rifle had to be left behind so as not to attract undue attention. When the agents went back to the van about 30 minutes later, its right front window was smashed and the rifle missing.

Carreon said no other valuables were stolen from the van. PDEA director general Arturo Cacdac Jr. has ordered an investigation into the incident.