Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa has ordered the police commander of Northern Mindanao to exert extra efforts to solve the killing of a community doctor in Lanao del Norte.
Dreyfuss Perlas, an alumnus of the Department of Health’s Doctor-to-the-Barrio program, was shot dead while riding his motorcycle in Kapatagan town on March 1.
The motive and the identity of the assailants are still unknown but robbery was already ruled out since his personal belongings remain intact.
“We have to double our efforts to solve this case. I have directed the Regional Director of Northern Mindanao to focus on the case,” said Dela Rosa.
The death of Perlas causesd an uproar from the health service sector noting that security concerns may impede their efforts to serve the poor in far-flung areas.
Perlas’s two-year contract with the Department of Health (DoH) has already expired but he chose to remain in Lanao del Norte in order to continue his medical service to the poor people in the area. (Aaron Recuenco)