MANILA, Philippines — One of the four Army soldiers killed in a controversial shooting in Jolo, Sulu last June had links to a drug syndicate, according to Brig. ADVERTISEMENTAmong these statements included that of Col. Michael C. Bawayan Jr., police director of the Sulu Provincial Police Office. According to Abu’s presentation, Bawayan had presented during the BOI meeting a “drug matrix” linking Cpl. “Several relatives of Corporal Asula were arrested and some were killed by the PDEU [Provincial Drug Enforcement Unit] in Sulu in the conduct of anti-illegal drug operations earlier,” he added. Earlier in the hearing, Sen. Risa Hontiveros, meanwhile, asked the NBI if the shooting had any links to the illegal drug trade or other criminal activities.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer August 19, 2020 15:11 UTC