10 more drug suspects killed

MANILA, Philippines - At least 10 more persons allegedly involved in the illegal drug trade were killed over the past two days.

In Quezon City, three suspects were killed and another was arrested in separate police operations yesterday.

The suspects identified only as “Leon” and “Willy” reportedly shot at lawmen during a sting along Rockville Avenue in Barangay San Bartolome.

Police officers had arranged to buy P30,000 worth of shabu from the two men, whose names are on the local drug watchlist.

Recovered from Leon were a loaded .38 caliber revolver and P30,000 in marked money while police recovered a Smith & Wesson .22 caliber revolver from Willy.

Lawmen also recovered six fired 9mm shells, a digital weighing scale and the suspects’ motorcycle from the scene of the encounter.

Leon and Willy reportedly operated in Barangay Sauyo, police said.

Caught dealing

A few hours earlier, Leonel Lipata, alias Tukne, 39, was shot dead after he reportedly fired at police officers who caught him selling shabu along F. Calderon street in Barangay Sta. Lucia.

Police officers were responding to complaints regarding Lipata’s alleged drug deals when they chanced upon the suspect handing a sachet of shabu to a woman, later identified as Marilyn Siera, 43.

Two sachets said to contain shabu were found in Lipata’s pockets after he was declared dead at the Fairview General Hospital.

They also recovered two sachets of shabu, a .38 caliber revolver, two fired shells and an improvised arrow from the scene of the encounter.

Police officers also arrested Siera in front of her house. A sachet of shabu was reportedly found on her person.

In Binondo, Manila, three men were killed for resisting arrest during anti-drug operation yesterday.

Edmond Morales, Jomar Danao Mariano and Ernesto Francisco were allegedly members of the Commando gang, involved in robbery and drug pushing.

Chief Inspector Leandro Gutierrez said they organized a sting after a concerned citizen called and said an area in Barangay 275 in Parola Compound is being used as a drug den.

Three .38 caliber revolvers, P8,000 worth of shabu and drug paraphernalia were seized from the suspects.

In Pateros, an unidentified assailant gunned down Raul Castillo in Barangay Sta. Ana at around 2 a.m. yesterday, said Superintendent Jenny Tecson, Southern Police District spokesperson.

Castillo’s brother told police that his brother was a known drug user and pusher in their barangay.

In Marikina, lawmen shot dead Edwin dela Cruz after he reportedly shot a police officer during a sting at around 5:30 p.m.

In Pasig, a man identified only as “Balong” was killed in a drug bust after allegedly shooting an undercover police officer at around 8 p.m. Friday.

Among the items recovered from Balong were a .38 caliber revolver, four sachets said to contain shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Meanwhile, undetermined assailants killed a drug suspect in Barangay Parang, Marikina City at around 1:30 p.m.

The SPD identified the suspect as Manny Carvahal, whose name is in the SPD drug watchlist. The SPD is investigating Carvahal’s killing. – Robertzon Ramirez, Romina Cabrera, Ghio Ong