3 dead, 6 hurt in drug attacks

MANILA, Philippines - At least three persons were slain and six others were wounded in drug-related shootings in Metro Manila over the past two days.

In Makati, a 35-year-old man was killed while six others – including four children – were hurt after three assailants shot them along Lopez Jaena street on Monday night.

Christopher Esguerra; Veronica Canlas, 28; Derick Roxas, 18; and children aged 7, 10, 11 and 9 were all rushed to the Ospital ng Makati in Barangay Pembo, but Esguerra was pronounced dead on arrival due to gunshot wounds all over his body. The six others sustained only minor injuries. 

The four kids came from nearby Bonifacio street. 

Sources said Esguerra and his wife were celebrating their wedding anniversary when they were attacked.

According to a police report, three unidentified armed men were outside Esguerra’s house and shot at the victims. 

Police recovered 15 .45 caliber shells, 12 9mm shells, four fragments and a fired bullet.

Barangay records showed Esguerra was allegedly involved in drug pushing.

In Mandaluyong, drug suspect Ferdinand Holanda, 50, was walking along Coronado street when an unidentified assailant who was following him shot him repeatedly yesterday.

Probers recovered nine fired cartridge cases and one slug at the scene.

Holanda’s name is in Barangay Hulo’s drug watchlist and he was arrested last year for possession of illegal drugs, said Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director.

In Caloocan, two men – later identified as “Chico” and Ian” – reportedly shot Jay Lawrence Barles in front of a shop along Macabud street in Barangay 179 at past 6 a.m. Monday. Probers said “it is very likely” that the attack was drug-related.

1 dead in sting

In Valenzuela, Wilson Ventura was killed in a reported shootout with police officers during a drug sting in the NFA Compound in Barangay Malanday just before 5 a.m. Monday.

Police officers recovered Ventura’s .38 caliber revolver, five sachets of shabu and marked money.

Eleven persons were arrested in separate drug stings in northern Metro Manila over the past two days.

In Quezon City, nine drug suspects were apprehended in separate operations over the same period. – Ghio Ong, Rey Galupo, Emmanuel Tupas, Romina Cabrera