Wounded PDEA agents airlifted to Davao City

A Philippine Air force medical team under Tactical Operations Group 12 commander Lieutenant Colonel Dionisio Robles assists the two wounded PDEA agents who were airlifted to Davao City from Maguindanao province on Tuesday, April 14, 2009. (Mindanao Examiner Photo / Mark Navales)

MAGUINDANAO, Philippines (Mindanao Examiner / Apr. 13, 2009) – Two members of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency wounded in an ambush in Maguindanao province were transferred Tuesday to Davao City for medical treatment, officials said.

The wounded agents were airlifted by a Philippine Air Force medical team under Lt. Col. Dionisio Robles.

Police said two other agents were killed in Monday attack that occurred at around 5.30 a.m. in Sultan Kudarat town in Maguindanao.

The four victims were to serve a warrant of arrest to Piad Abdullah when gunmen ambushed them. It was unknown whether the ambushers were followers of Abdullah or if there was a leak of his impending arrest.

Police reports identified the slain agents as Pablo Jala and Tho and the wounded as Brian Babang and Mark Anthony Viray – all members of the PDEA in the Muslim autonomous region. (With a report from Mark Navales)