Missing PDEA agent found dead with traces of torture

CAMP OLA, Albay - The assistant provincial officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Camarines Norte was found dead Monday morning with bullet wounds to the head and signs that he had been tortured.

PDEA Bicol regional director Christian Frivaldo said Agent Enrico Barba was reported missing around noon on Feb. 17 after he went to meet an informant in Daet, Camarines Norte, regarding drug activities in the area.

“His mission was fully documented and disclosed to his Provincial Officer Agent Vidal Bacolod who relayed the same to the regional director,” Frivaldo said.

Barba’s body was found in Lupi, Camarines Sur, Monday night,

“His body bore several bullet wounds all fatal in the face and body indicative of ruthlessness. He also had contusions in the frontal body and head trauma as indicated in the initial autopsy of thr first responder,” Frivaldo said.

The police received a report Monday morning that the body of an unidentified male person was found in a concrete ditch in Barangay Napolidan, Lupi.

The hands and mouth were tied and wrapped with packaging tape. A piece of cardboard with the words, “Wag tularan, tulak ako” written on it was found in the pocket of the victim.

“Our regional office will work fully with our counterparts to identify the perpetrators of this cowardly act which is considered as an attack and affront to the anti-drug endeavor of Bicol region. We will not be moved by this incident as we will escalate our effort to give justice to our fallen comrade, a good father to his children and a loving husband to his wife,” Frivaldo said.