7 drug suspects slain in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines – At least seven suspected drug users and pushers were killed over the past two days.

Five of the suspects were killed in police operations in Manila since Monday night.

Police officers from the Delpan community precinct shot dead a still unidentified man along Sparkline Road in Parola Compound, Tondo shortly before 8 p.m.

The suspect was described as between 20 and 25 years old, about 5’4” tall and bore a tattoo of the name “Gosain Alonto.”

At around 9:30 p.m., police officers from the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 2 anti-drug unit killed Ernesto Salting Jr. at the corner of Trinidad and Lacson streets in Barangay 96, Tondo.

Salting was reportedly on the MPD’s drug watchlist and served time in 2013.

In Sampaloc, two unidentified men died after reportedly trying to shoot it out with policemen who were about to arrest them while they were having a pot session at around 2:20 a.m. yesterday.

Police Officer 3 Dennis Turla, homicide investigator, said the MPD received a tip about the pot session in a house at the corner of Buenos Aires street and Road 10.

Meanwhile, the MPD homicide section is still trying to identify a man who was killed during a drug operation at the corner of Jose Abad Santos and Quiricada streets at around 2:30 a.m.

The victim was described to be between 35 and 40 years old, about 5’5” tall and of medium build.

Police officers recovered 25 sachets of shabu and five assorted firearms during the operation.

In Pasig City, village watchman Reynante Nudo, 47, was shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants in Barangay Rosario at about 10 p.m. Monday.

Nudo and a companion, Joseph Bitara, were riding a motorcycle along Westbank Road when the assailants blocked their path and shot Nudo, police said.

The watchman was on the drug watchlist of the city police, said Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director.

In Parañaque, two motorcycle-riding assailants shot tricycle terminal barker Luis Gravante along NIA Road Monday night.

Gravante recently surrendered to authorities and confessed to being a drug pusher and user after police officers visited his home and asked him to change his ways, police said. – Rey Galupo, Non Alquitran, Perseus Echeminada