PCOO mourns killing of PDEA agent in Cebu

Reports showed that Earl Rallos, PDEA-7 assistant chief of operations, was in his car when motorcycle-riding assailants peppered his vehicle with bullets just meters away from the Cebu Provincial Capitol. (Shutterstock)

MANILA — The Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) is mourning the fatal shooting of a Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) official in Cebu City on Friday afternoon.

“We mourn the loss of another drug buster, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agent Earl Rallos, who was killed in Cebu City today,” PCOO Assistant Secretary Ramon Cualoping III said in a statement.

Reports showed that Earl Rallos, PDEA-7 assistant chief of operations, was in his car when motorcycle-riding assailants peppered his vehicle with bullets just meters away from the Cebu Provincial Capitol.

Cualoping described Rallos’ killing as a message that there was still much to do in terms of solving the problem on criminality and illegal drugs in the Philippines.

“While investigation is still underway, this sends us a chilling message that the campaign against criminality and the menace of illegal drugs is far from over,” Cualoping said.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino has condemned the “cowardly action” against their agent, and extended his sincerest condolences to Rallos’ family.

“We will make sure that his death will not pass without worth as we will continue our fight against (the) illegal drugs industry,” Aquino said in a statement.

Cualoping, for his part, said the government will continue its aggressive campaign and will “do everything to have a drug-free Philippines.”

He, meanwhile, encouraged the public to join the government’s efforts to eliminate the country’s drug problem through its rehabilitation program, Rehabinasyon.

“Through Rehabinasyon, the government will work harder to turn haunting stories like this into #RealStories of change and renewal. This way, the death of Agent Rallos, other drug fighters, and the victims of illegal drugs will not be put to waste,” Cualoping said.

Rehabinasyon, launched in June 21, 2017, gives importance to the rehabilitation of drug surrenderers.

Under the program, agencies involved go around the country to inform and update the communities on the government’s anti-illegal drugs campaign.

The program is led by the PCOO.

Other major agencies involved in the program are the Philippine National Police, Public Information Office, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, National Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Customs, Dangerous Drugs Board, Department of Justice, and the Philippine Information Agency.