9 drug suspects killed in shootings

MANILA, Philippines – At least nine suspected drug pushers and users were killed by unidentified assailants in various parts of Metro Manila over the past two days.

Among those killed is former policeman Richard Mendoza, 35, considered a high-value target in Muntinlupa City.

Mendoza had just alighted from his vehicle when four men riding two motorcycles shot him just before 7 p.m. in Barangay Poblacion, said Superintendent Jenny Tecson, Southern Police District spokesperson.

Tecson said the assailants, all wearing helmets and black jackets, fled toward National Road.

In Pateros, Daniel Yusay was in his home in E. Ragas Subdivision when a group of assailants, all wearing bonnets, shot him at around 1 a.m., said Senior Police Officer 2 Felicisimo Brijuega.

He said Yusay, who was jobless, was allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade in the area.

Four of those killed were alleged drug users in Caloocan City, the Northern Police District reported.

The first casualty was Valentino Naraga, who was shot dead along Saint Bernadette street in Barangay 186, Tala at past 8 p.m. Monday.

Ranalyn Dangcalan was killed an hour later in Barangay 178, Camarin.

Shortly before 11 p.m., tricycle driver Henry Aribaca was gunned down in Barangay 176, Bagong Silang.

At around 3 a.m. yesterday, four masked men drove up to Erwin Bernal’s house in Barangay 146, Bagong Barrio and shot the alleged user, 48, as he was sleeping on a sofa near his home.

According to police, the four victims have two things in common – all of them, at one time or another, used illegal drugs, and they were all killed by unidentified men.

Meanwhile, the bodies of two men were found in Navotas City. Police believe the killings were drug-related.

Senior Superintendent Dante Novicio, Navotas police chief, said a fisherman found the body of the first victim along the shore of Chungkang Baywalk, in Barangay Tanza at around 7:30 a.m. Monday.

Novicio said the victim was between 45 and 50 years old, of medium build, and was shot in the head and chest.

At around 1:30 a.m. yesterday, a man who was between 30 and 35 years old was found dead at the corner of Phase 1 and C3-Road in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South. He had been shot repeatedly.

In Pasig City, alleged pusher Allan Salazar Alcantara, alias Casper and Kasmot, was shot repeatedly by four motorcycle-riding assailants as he watched television in front of his house at around 6:30 p.m. on Monday. He died on the way to the hospital.

Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said Alcantara was in the drug watchlist of Barangay Pinagbuhatan.

Alcantara’s niece, Joan, told police her uncle had been using their house in Caruncho Compound in Barangay Palatiw as a drug den.

She said Alcantara used to beat her and her other relatives whenever he was high.

3 dead in Manila sting

In Quiapo, Manila, three suspected pushers were killed in simultaneous drug busts Monday night.

Alex Pana and “Den” reportedly tried to fight police officers during a sting in their house on Guzman street at past 6 p.m.

Senior Police Officer 4 Glenzor Vallejo said Pana sensed he was dealing with an undercover police officer and drew his gun.

Den reportedly shot at Police Officer 1 Lowie Pinlac, who was wrestling with Pana, but missed.

Pinlac’s colleagues barged into the house and killed the suspects.

Fifteen minutes later, another team shot dead “Bebe” in Parola Compound after a foiled bust.

The lawmen also arrested Romualdo San Paez, Renen Sy, Joey Torres, Akmad Lumamba and Reynaldo Alejos, who tried to deny them entry into the house during the commotion. – Rey Galupo, Robertzon Ramirez, Non Alquitran