Cop gunned down in EDSA-Connecticut was on Duterte drug watch list —Albayalde

The police who was gunned down in EDSA Connecticut on Tuesday  had been previously implicated in the illegal drug trade and was even included on President Rodrigo Duterte’s drug watch list, according to Philippine National Police chief Police General Oscar Albayalde.

Albayalde told reporters that police is investigating if the motive of killing Police Senior Master Sergeant Solomon Cugay was drug-related.

"Accordingly, nasa PRRD list siya before. But then again, 'yung motive ng pagkabaril sa kaniya wala pang maliwanag doon. It's still being investigated. Hindi natin alam kung ito ay drug-related o hindi," Albayalde said.

In a report by Mariz Umali on GMA News TV's "Balitanghali," Albayalde was quoted as saying Cugay was possibly involved in protecting drug personalities and recycling seized drugs.

Albayalde, however, clarified that Cugay has already been cleared in court from his involvement in illegal drugs.

"But according to the regional director, ito ay naadjudicate na, naclear na siya. For two years basically walang nakitang ilegal na activity," he said.

Cugay was gunned down by a still unidentified suspect while traversing the EDSA-Connecticut southbound lane on Tuesday afternoon.

Seven empty bullet shells and a 9-mm. gun, believed to be the service firearm of Cugay, were recovered in the area.

A special investigation task group was created by the Eastern Police District (EPD) to investigate the killing of Cugay, who started his police service in 2003.

The investigation is still looking to possible motive behind the killing. — with Joviland Rita/MDM, GMA News