The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Regional Office Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (RO BARMM) commemorates the fifth-year death anniversary of the five Drug Enforcement Officers with a holy mass at the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Cotabato City which was attended by personnel of the regional office.
The five PDEA fallen heroes—Agent Vencio Ardepolla, Agent Laurice Joy Amar, Agent Diobel Pacinio, Agent Kenneth Capuno, and Agent Kristine Mar Torlao—were killed in Kapai, Lanao del Sur, in October 2018 after the conduct of an anti-drug symposium for the drug surrenderees of the municipality of Tagoloan, Lanao del Sur.
It can be recalled that, in October 2018, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte awarded the Posthumous Award in the form of the Lapu-Lapu Rank of Kalasag Medal in recognition of the five PDEA Drug Enforcement Officers who sacrificed their lives in the fight against illegal drugs at the 6th Infantry Division, KAMPILAN Division, Camp Siongco, Awang, DOS, Maguindanao.
Meanwhile, in May 2019, the National Civil Service Commission likewise granted an award of Pamanang Linkod Bayani to the five (5) fallen PDEA agents as a recognition of a public servant who were killed in the line of duty or those who died while in the performance of duty.