By Nancy Carvajal

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) is looking into the manner in which an informant of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) died during the supposed “misencounter” between the agency and the police last month.

A source familiar with the NBI’s investigation said how the PDEA agent died would give clues on the possible motive for the shootout on February 24 in Quezon City.

“We’ll get closer to finding out the motive once we determine whether the PDEA informant was shot at close range or died in the crossfire,” Politiko’s source said.

The source explained that shooting the PDEA informant at close range could mean that the person was intentionally silenced.

“But if the informant was killed in the crossfire, we’ll have difficulty establishing the motive,” Politiko’s source said.

Politiko’s source said NBI agents are now reviewing several hours’ worth of closed circuit television footage from establishments near where the shootout happened.

So far, 21 policemen have appeared at the NBI as part of the investigation, while PDEA agents have also given their statements.

Cellphones and firearms seized at the scene of the shootout are now under forensic examination.