A total of 17 law enforcers have been “restricted” to the headquarters of the Philippine National Police (PNP) Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) for their involvement in the Commonwealth shootout on Wednesday night, February 24.

PNP chief General Debold Sinas announced in a press briefing on Thursday, February 25, that 10 cops and 7 PDEA agents were restricted to the CIDG base in Camp Crame, Quezon City.

The CIDG is leading the joint PNP-PDEA probe.

Sinas was referring to placing the agents under restrictive custody or detention in police headquarters to prevent any attempt at escape, and to aid ongoing investigations.

Sinas said all the agents will be pulled out from pursuing anti-drug operations until the probe is concluded.

The PNP and the PDEA had a shootout for the first time after both bungled what they believed to be anti-drug operations near the Ever Gotesco Mall along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City. A total of 4 people died, including 2 policemen, 1 PDEA agent, and 1 PDEA informant.

The botched operation happened between members of the Quezon City Police District’s District Special Operations Unit and the PDEA’s Special Enforcement Service – both teams that are assigned to conduct special operations that are above the usual patrols. – Rappler.com