7 slain in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - At least seven persons were killed in various parts of Metro Manila over the past two days, most of them shot dead by unidentified assailants.

In Navotas City, an unidentified assailant shot dead Raymark Alvarez, 28, along Road 10 in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South at around 10:15 a.m.

Police officers later found two sachets of shabu on Alvarez’s person.

In Caloocan City, a motorcycle-riding assailant wearing a mask gunned down Kelvin Villaluna along M. de Castro street in Barangay 142, Bagong Barrio on Sunday.

In Manila, two masked men riding a motorcycle repeatedly shot tricycle driver Joel Lising, 43, as he was standing at the corner of Magsaysay and Herbosa streets in Tondo at around 5:30 a.m.

The victim died at the scene.

His brother, Gerardo, 48, said Lising surrendered some months ago and stopped using drugs because he feared for his life.

In Pasay City, scavenger Herman Maninan Jr. was buying a cigarette along Tengco street when four unidentified men shot him several times shortly before midnight Sunday.

According to reports, Maninan surrendered to authorities when Oplan Tokhang was conducted in the area.

In Las Piñas, motorcycle-riding assailants shot dead Jeffrey James Custodio along San Gregorio street in Barangay Talon early yesterday.

Found dead

In Valenzuela, the body of an unidentified man was found by police officers along Mindanao Avenue Extension in Barangay Ugong at past 6 a.m. Sunday.

His eyes were covered by a handkerchief and he had been shot thrice in the back, police said, adding that six sachets of shabu were found in his possession.

Shootout

In Quezon City, an unidentified man was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers along Sarmiento street at past midnight yesterday.

Novaliches police officers were responding to complaints that there were three armed men roaming the area when they reportedly encountered the suspects.

One of the suspects died from several gunshot wounds in the head and body on the way to the Novaliches District Hospital while two others escaped.

Two sachets said to contain shabu were found in the man’s pants pocket. A .38 caliber revolver and bullet fragments were found at the crime scene, police said. – Rey Galupo, Perseus Echeminada, Romina Cabrera