4 linked to drugs shot dead

CEBU, Philippines - At least four people linked to drugs have been killed in police operations and suspected vigilantes in Mandaue City and Cebu City.

John Paul Misterio, 18, and Gilbert Maturan, 23, were killed Monday in separate police operations in Mandaue City.

Misterio, resident of Barangay Mantuyong, was the subject of a buy-bust operation conducted by the elements of the Mandaue City Police Station 4 at 2:30 p.m.

He allegedly resisted arrest by trying to engage the police operatives with his caliber .38 revolver, prompting the law enforcers to open fire. Senior Inspector Janelito Marquez said Misterio had been under surveillance after he surrendered during the Operation Tokhang earlier this month.

According to Marquez, Misterio continued with his illegal drug activities even after he signed an undertaking with the police to stop his illegal activity.

Few hours later, Maturan was also killed in separate operation conducted by the members of the Mandaue City Police Station 1 in Barangay Mantuyong.

 Maturan allegedly tried to shoot it out with the police operatives, said Police Officer 2 Renato Canja.

Canja said the suspect was armed with a caliber .38 revolver.

 The police seized at least 14 packs of shabu and drug paraphernalia from both Misterio and Maturan.

Meanwhile, Armando Tuico, 43, a resident of Barangay Ibabao-Estancia, Mandaue City, was shot dead by unidentified gunman. Tuico was also linked to illegal drugs.

He had been detained for three years on charges of illegal drugs. The victim was walking on the street heading to a nearby carenderia when the unidentified assailant shot him to the face. 

The gunman was wearing short pants and a sleeveless shirt. He was allegedly sporting a tattoo on the chest and on his hands.

 In Cebu City, 39-year-old Alex Reyes was also shot dead by unidentified assailant last Monday dawn in Sitio Tuburan, Barangay Punta Princesa.

Reyes, a jeepney dispatcher, was said to be involved in illegal drugs.

He sustained three gunshot wounds to different parts of his body.

Police believed that the killing could have something to do with illegal drugs because the victim was allegedly a user based on their records. — Christell Fatima M. Tudtud and Michael Vencynth H. Braga/FPL (FREEMAN)