Drug war leaves 9 dead

MANILA, Philippines - At least nine persons were killed in Metro Manila over the past two days in the government’s war on illegal drugs.

Six of them were killed in police operations while three were gunned down by unidentified assailants.

In Caloocan City, drug suspects Bryan Canama and “John Paul” were killed after allegedly shooting at police officers who staged a sting at their house on Quezon street in Barangay 163 at around 8:30 p.m. Friday.

Police officers recovered a 9mm pistol, a .45 caliber pistol and four sachets said to contain shabu from the two suspects.

Also in Caloocan, Christopher dela Cruz was shot dead during an encounter at past 7 p.m. Friday with police officers who responded to a 911 call about a man armed with a handgun roaming Purok 2 in Barangay 35.

A .38 caliber pistol and two sachets said to contain shabu were recovered from Dela Cruz.

In Manila, Romero Rivera, alias “Bimbi” was shot dead in a sting along Road 10 just before 2 a.m. yesterday.

Police seized from Rivera a .38 caliber pistol, drug paraphernalia and four sachets said to contain shabu.

Also in Tondo, two unidentified men were killed in an alleged shootout with police officers conducting Oplan Galugad along IBP Road at past 11 p.m. Friday.

Two .38 caliber pistols, two sachets said to contain shabu and a knife were seized from the two men.

Meanwhile, four people, all believed to be involved in the illegal drug trade, were shot by unidentified assailants in separate attacks in Manila since Friday night. Three of the victims were killed.

According to police reports, “Dagul and Muslim” barged into the house of 23-year-old Eugene Liporada along Rawis Model street in Tondo at around 9 p.m. Friday.

One of the men shot him in the left temple. Five more men were waiting for the two assailants outside Liporada’s house.

Liporada remains confined at a hospital.

Also in Tondo, two motorcycle-riding assailants shot dead Bernadette Ricasa in front of her house along Osmeña street at around 2 p.m.

At around 10:30 a.m. yesterday, alleged pusher Marc Ronquillo, alias “Macmac Sumpak,” shot dead vendor Bernard Franco, 36, during a heated argument in front of Franco’s house on C.P. Garcia street in Tondo. 

Police said Franco reportedly failed to pay Ronquillo his share of the illegal drugs they would use. 

Construction painter Crisanto Pablo, 41, was killed by an unidentified assailant at Helping Complex, Temporary Housing in Aroma, Tondo at around 10:30 a.m. yesterday.

His father, Rogelio, told police his son was supposed to go to work at a construction site with his two brothers. He later learned his son did not go to work and instead went to the place where he was killed.

Rogelio said his son had been using illegal drugs and was arrested in 2006 on drug charges but was released after posting bail.