PNP: Attacks on alleged narcopoliticians being investigated

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 13) — The Philippine National Police (PNP) is looking into the attacks on two politicians allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade.

Daanbantayan, Cebu Mayor Vicente Loot and his family were ambushed by gunmen this morning.

Former La Union Representative Eufranio Eriguel and his two bodyguards, meanwhile, were shot dead in Agoo Saturday evening.

Both attacks occurred within 12 hours of each other.

Loot was previously named by President Rodrigo Duterte as a drug protector. He was also among those implicated by self-confessed drug lord Kerwin Espinosa during his testimony at the Senate.

Eriguel was also branded as a narcopolitican in September 2016 by Duterte, along with 1,000 other politicians with suspected drug links.

Both had denied the allegations.

Speaking to CNN Philippines Sunday, PNP spokesperson John Bulalacao said: "The cases are still being investigated. In fact, what we have just received are sketchy reports on these incidents."

He also said they are still investigating the alleged involvement of the politicians in the drug trade.

"In fact, our holdings about ...the involvement in drugs of Mayor Loot are still lacking to be filed in court. We have yet to gather the necessary physical evidence so that cases to be filed against him would stand in court," he said.

Bulalacao added no concrete evidence has been found in Eriguel's case as well, and that no cases have been filed against either politician.

"Kasalukuyan [Right now], we are still in the process of gathering physical evidence against these two politicians," he said.

The PNP spokesperson said "no stone will be left unturned" in the investigations into the attacks on Loot and Eriguel.