Surrenderee survives slay try

MANILA, Philippines - A drug surrenderee survived a slay try in San Juan City over the weekend.

Michael Cipriano Banga, 35, became the first survivor of alleged extrajudicial killings in Metro Manila since President Duterte ordered a massive crackdown on the illegal drug trade on July 1.

Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, has ordered a deeper probe on the slay try on Banga, who was among the drug users who surrendered to the San Juan police last month.

Banga was walking near the corner of A. Lake and C. Leyva streets in Barangay Balong Bato at about 5:10 p.m. Saturday when an assailant shot him.

Bystanders rushed Banga to the UERM Hospital, where doctors removed one of the slugs embedded in his right flank.

As of 2 a.m. yesterday, Banga was listed in stable condition and transferred to the ward unit from the operating room.

“His condition is improving according to his doctors,” said Sapitula, as he ordered Banga guarded ’round the clock.

According to Sapitula, records showed that Banga was included in the watchlist of drug suspects in San Juan.