Caloocan barangay exec slain; drugs eyed

MANILA, Philippines -  Police are looking into illegal drugs as a possible motive for the killing of a barangay official in Caloocan City on Tuesday night.

Roberto Serrano, 43, deputy executive officer of Barangay 18, was shot dead by a motorcycle-riding assailant while having a drinking session with his friends outside his house along Tanigue street at past 10 p.m.

Probers said Serrano could have been killed by vigilantes after he gave the list of suspected drug pushers and users to the barangay council.

Serrano’s companions, Mark Angelo Dee and Marcedita Cortez, were wounded in the attack.

Dee and Cortez were taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.

A suspected drug pusher known as alias Major was slain by unidentified gunmen on a motorcycle in front of a store along Phase 7-B in Barangay 176 at around 10:30 p.m.

Major died on the spot from multiple gunshots to the body, police said.

Probers said they recovered nine sachets of shabu and six slugs of .45-caliber pistol at the scene.

Police said Major had been detained previously for alleged drug pushing.