2 killed, 24 nabbed in drug stings

MANILA, Philippines - A drug suspect and a civilian were killed while another was wounded in a sting in Cavite on Monday.

Rodelio Dig shot it out with anti-drug operatives who posed as buyers of shabu on Halang street in Barangay Poblacion 4-A in Imus City at around 9:16 p.m., Senior Superintendent Arthur Bisnar, Cavite police director, said yesterday.

Dig’s alleged cohort Allen Consulta was arrested.

Bystander Kevin Fiesta, who was hit by a stray bullet, was pronounced dead on arrival at the Pillar Hospital. Another civilian Charise Miranda, who was also caught in the crossfire, was confined in the same hospital.

A .38-caliber revolver and three sachets of shabu were reportedly recovered from the fatality.

Police are still investigating if the killing of Lemuel Torres in Antipolo City, Rizal was drug-related. Unidentified motorcycle-riding men fired at Torres in Barangay Mambugan at around 7:30 p.m. also on Monday.

10 kilos of shabu

In Sorsogon, 10 kilos of shabu with an estimated street value of P60 million were found in an abandoned Toyota Revo (WLP-687) at the roll-on roll-off port in Matnog yesterday, the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) reported.

Cmdr. Armand Balilo, PCG spokesman, said the illegal drugs might be intended for the Visayas, but its peddlers were alerted about the tight security at the port.

Meanwhile, nine other drug suspects were arrested in Marilao, Balagtas, Obando, Hagonoy and Meycauayan in Bulacan in the past two days. Twelve were nabbed in  Naga City, Camarines Sur and two in Virac, Catanduanes on Monday.

Marlon Tomas, who was ranked fourth on the drug watchlist of Asingan, Pangasinan, was arrested at his house in Barangay Domanpot yesterday. – Ed Amoroso, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Francis Elevado, Eva Visperas, Evelyn Macairan