Drug surrenderee shot dead

MANILA, Philippines – A drug surrenderee was killed in an alleged shootout with police in Caloocan City before dawn yesterday.

 Ricky Pahati died at the scene from gunshots to the body.

Pahati, who had surrendered to police under Oplan Tokhang, allegedly yielded a .38-caliber revolver and several sachets of shabu.

Prior to the shootout, a resident reported to authorities that Pahati was seen along 8th Avenue in Barangay 59 before 1 a.m.

Responding anti-narcotics operatives were about to approach Pahati when he reportedly opened fire, prompting police to retaliate.

An alleged drug suspect known only as Rommel was slain in Caloocan City on Saturday night.

Police probers are looking into illegal drug deal as the possible motive for the killing.

City police chief investigator Senior Inspector Ilustre Mendoza said three men were caught on closed-circuit television footage ganging up on Rommel at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Rizal Avenue Extension in Barangay 120.

Reports said that Rommel was sitting along the sidewalk when the assailants, two of them identified as Ferlito Yzon and Dave Acuna, arrived and started beating him up.