By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Police Regional Office-6 (PRO-6) director, Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao, who recently announced that he would be retiring from the service later this month, admitted the department has encountered difficulties with the probe into the case of retired Police Major Lito Pirote, who was abducted from Bacolod City’s Metro Inn last Good Friday.
The law enforcement official said they are currently looking at all angles, including Pirote’s alleged involvement with illegal drugs since he was one of seven cops President Rodrigo Duterte earlier claimed were involved with a drug matrix.
In addition, the officer in question was previously charged by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency for alleged links with the P11 billion drug shipment intercepted at the Manila International Container Port and in Cavite.
The case, however, was later dismissed.
Authorities have also set up an oversight committee and special investigation task group devoted to the case.
“I cannot pressure investigators, especially the city director, as it is really hard to gather evidence that supports the angles they are pursuing,” Bulalacao pointed out.
Earlier this week, Pirote’s daughter, Cate, claimed a “lack of action” from the National Bureau of Investigation and the Bacolod City Police Office.
Pirote’s daughter claimed they have not received any communication from either department.
While attending a family affair at the Bacolod City hotel, Pirote was dragged out and assaulted by 10 heavily-armed men wearing tactical gear and bonnets. The suspects disarmed the hotel’s security guards and ordered employees and guests to lie down on the floor. Witnesses also claimed the former police officer tried to resist, but one of the suspects struck him in the head with their firearm.
Pirote retired from the service earlier this year and was previously assigned under the Philippine National Police Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Group./DGB, WDJ