Drug gang chief, 4 others slain in bust

MANILA, Philippines – An alleged leader of a drug gang was shot dead along with four others in a sting in Quezon City yesterday morning.

Narciso Agabe Asero was killed when he and his four alleged members reportedly shot it out with police officers, said Senior Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director.

He said a fifth alleged member opted to surrender to the police.

Asero’s gang reportedly pushes drugs in Quezon City and Caloocan City.

Eleazar said anti-drug police officers of the Novaliches police station arranged the sting at a house the suspects used as a hideout in Sitio Kawayan, Barangay San Agustin at around 7 a.m.

He said the suspects allegedly shot at the police officers when they sensed that the drug deal was a trap.

One of the suspects killed in the drug bust was among those who surrendered during the Philippine National Police’s Oplan Katok Pakiusap, which involves police officers visiting the homes of suspected drug users and pushers and asking them to change their ways, Eleazar said.  

The body of a police “asset” or informant, missing since Monday, was found hanging in a nearby house, he added.

The QCPD chief appealed to the public not to be discouraged by the number of drug suspects killed in the government’s battle against illegal drugs.

“We have to protect ourselves. It’s an operation. It’s a difficult job. It’s up to them to say if the evidence is planted or not,” he said.

Eleazar said the QCPD has killed 18 drug suspects while 296 have been arrested since July 1.

 Also in Quezon City, a suspected drug pusher identified only as “Jumong” was killed in a drug bust along Regalado Avenue in Barangay Greater Lagro at around 10 p.m. Monday night.

Jumong, who was also tagged in a series of muggings, reportedly shot at one of the police officers who arrested him.

Recovered from Jumong was a .22 caliber revolver with five bullets and a fired cartridge, a sachet of marijuana, and three bullets and a fired cartridge for a .38 caliber revolver.

1 dead, 1 hurt in Caloocan

Meanwhile, alleged drug pusher Armando de la Cruz, 28, was killed while his 12-year-old companion was wounded after De la Cruz reportedly shot it out with police officers in Barangay 177, Caloocan City at around 11 p.m. Monday.

De la Cruz died at the scene while the boy was taken to the Tala Hospital.

Partner claims pusher missing 

In Manila, Marilyn Belandres, 43, went to members of media yesterday to ask for help for her partner, Joel Montecalvo, who she claimed was missing after he was arrested in Barangay 128 at around 6 p.m. Monday.

She said anti-drug police officers from the Manila Police District’s Station 1 picked him up.

“The policemen blindfolded and handcuffed him, pushed him inside the patrol car but later transferred him to a motorcycle,” Belandres told The STAR. 

She said Montecalvo was a drug peddler and user but stopped three years ago.

Belandres said she went to Station 1 to check on her partner but was told by “Tata Apol” that Montecalvo was released and “could be shopping at the mall.” She fears her partner could have been killed.

Station commander Superintendent Redentor Ulsano said Montecalvo is still in police custody and is the subject of an arrest warrant for murder.

He also said Tata Apol was a civilian working at the station and assured Belandres that Montecalvo would not be summarily executed. – With Rey Galupo