14 killed in drug war

MANILA, Philippines - At least 14 persons were killed in Metro Manila over the past two days as the government continues its war against illegal drugs.

Eight of the victims were killed by unidentified assailants.

In Caloocan, Jason David Lazar was walking with his father along San Diego street in Barangay 90 at around 8:30 a.m. when six unidentified men on three motorcycles shot him at close range.

Lazar’s father rushed him to the MCU Hospital but the victim was declared dead on arrival.

Shortly before 1 p.m., two unidentified men chased factory worker Richie Reyes from the street in Angkop Homes in Tala, Caloocan.

They followed him into his house and shot him as he tried to escape through the back door.

In Taguig, Rocky Sagales was shot dead along Veterans Road by unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants at around 9:30 p.m. Thursday.

Sagales was in the police drug watchlist and probers said he was a known pusher in Taguig and nearby cities.

In Pasay City, Aldin Malapitan was gunned down by motorcycle-riding gunmen in Barangay 82 at around 10 p.m. Thursday, Senior Superintendent Laurence Coop said. 

He said they are looking into the victim’s possible involvement in the illegal drug trade. 

In Pasig City, alleged pusher Danilo Leccio, 56, was on his way home in a tricycle when assailants riding a motorcycle blocked the tricycle’s path and shot Leccio at past 8 p.m. Thursday. He died at the scene.

Leccio was categorized as a pusher and user in the Pasig police’s drug watchlist.

Also in Pasig, alleged pusher Antonio Mangundayao, 60, was shot dead by unidentified assailants in his home at around 10:45 p.m. Thursday. The victim was in Barangay Manggahan’s drug watchlist.

Probers recovered two bullet shells, two deformed bullets and two sachets of shabu from the crime scene.

In Quezon City, tricycle driver Ronald Banlaoi, 51, was shot dead at a gasoline station along Commonwealth Avenue just before 6 a.m. by two motorcycle-riding assailants.

A sachet of shabu was reportedly found in Banlaoi’s pants pocket.

Also in Barangay Commonwealth, Genevieve Pablo, 21, was shot dead in front of a bar along Kaunlaran street just before 3 a.m.

Jimmy de Vera, 31, was hit by stray bullets during the attack and was taken to the East Avenue Medical Center for treatment.

Death by cop

Meanwhile, Navotas police officers killed Jerome Santicilles when he allegedly drew a gun during a drug bust at an alley in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South at around 11:30 p.m., said city police chief Senior Superintendent Dante Novicio.

In Tondo, Manila, Ronny Amarillo, 32; Ruwie Cahilig, 18; and Crisanto Pablo, 41, were killed by police officers in separate operations yesterday morning.

Police recovered a .38 caliber revolver, 10 sachets of shabu and marked money from Amarillo, who reportedly fought back during a sting at the corner of Apitong and C.P. Garcia streets.

Cahilig and several friends were having a pot session at a house along Masinop street when police officers staged a raid.

Cahilig was killed when he reportedly shot at the raiding team.

Police recovered two caliber .38 revolvers and seven sachets of shabu at the scene.

 Under investigation

In Quezon City, a barangay employee was gunned down by four unidentified assailants while jogging along Sto. Domingo street before 6 a.m.

A piece of paper identifying Rodante Sanchez, 51, an assistant administrator of Barangay Holy Spirit, as a pusher was left beside his body.

However, police officers are looking into a work-related motive for his murder. 

In Manila, the body of a still unidentified man was found in front of a public school in Sampaloc at around 2:30 a.m. yesterday.

The victim’s face and hands were wrapped with packaging tape and his neck bore four stab wounds, PO3 Roderick Magpale said.

Police have yet to determine the identity of the victim and the motive for his killing. – Rey Galupo, Robertzon Ramirez, Non Alquitran, Romina Cabrera