11 drug suspects slain, 2 cops hurt

MANILA, Philippines - At least 11 suspected drug personalities were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila in the past two days.

In Caloocan City, four drug suspects were slain and two police officers were wounded in an alleged shootout on Thursday night.

Northern Police District director Senior Superintendent Roberto Fajardo said he dispatched a team to Sto. Tomas street in Barangay 168, Deparo after receiving a call through hotline 911 that drug suspect Noel Aventura and his cohorts were spotted in the area at around 9:30 p.m.

Fajardo said the responding policemen were met by gunfire, wounding Inspector Henry Taule, chief of the special reaction unit, and another lawman.

Superintendent Reydante Ariza, head of the Caloocan police North Extension office, called for backup and barricaded the house where the suspects were holed up.

Authorities urged Aventura to surrender. But he refused and instead lobbed a tear gas canister and started firing at policemen, resulting in a gun battle.

Aventura, who was on the drug watchlist, died along with Jaime Santiago, 41, another man and a woman.

Police said they recovered an M-14 rifle, a shotgun, five .38-caliber revolvers, a .45-caliber pistol and six sachets of shabu at the scene.

Five more drug suspects were killed by unidentified assailants believed to be vigilantes in the southern part of Metro Manila, police said.

John Lester Certeza, 41, was shot dead by four motorcycle-riding men along Rosales Sta. Ana in Pateros shortly after midnight yesterday.

Certeza, who was on the drug watchlist, died at the scene, Southern Police District spokesperson Superintendent Jenny Tecson said.

Tecson said another suspected drug pusher known only as Baton was killed by unidentified assailants along M. Almeda street also in Pateros.

Jefferson Naniong, an alleged drug pusher, died when two men on a motorcycle fired at him along Dr. A. Santos Avenue in Parañaque City.

Banak Cristobal was standing along Cariton Curva Quirino Avenue in Barangay Elias Aldana, Las Piñas City when unidentified assailants opened fire at him.

Police said they were checking if the killing of Cristobal was drug-related.

John Fernando was watching a basketball game in Barangay Rizal in Makati when two men fired at him.

Fernando was rushed to the Ospital ng Makati where he was declared dead on arrival.

Police said Fernando could have been killed due to a drug deal that had gone sour.

Another drug suspect was killed in an alleged encounter with police during a sting in Quezon City yesterday.

Anthony Amiga, alias Anton, 43, reportedly shot it out with anti-narcotics agents in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa.

Amiga died at the scene from multiple gunshots to the body.

Police said they managed to buy P500 worth of shabu from Amiga prior to the shootout.

Amiga was on the drug watchlist of the Masambong police.

Police said they recovered a.45-caliber pistol, 11 sachets of shabu and P800 in cash from Amiga.

In Pasig City, alleged drug pusher Junior de la Cruz was watching a billiard game when two men on a motorcycle opened fire at him along M.H. del Pilar street.

De la Cruz, 31, died on the spot from gunshots to the head and body.

De la Cruz was described as a known drug pusher and user in Barangay Palatiw, police said.

Drug surrenderees receive gifts

In Muntinlupa, 623 drug surrenderees and their families have received Christmas gifts from the city government.

The beneficiaries received rice, groceries and gift packs during a gift-giving event at city hall on Wednesday.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said the event was part of the city government’s Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Council’s reintegration program for drug personalities who want to change their ways.

Japanese, Pinoy held for Ecstasy

Meanwhile, a Japanese woman and her Filipino companion were arrested for allegedly selling the party drug Ecstasy in Taguig City on Thursday night.

Japanese Rina Nayashi, 20, and Roy Miguel de Borja reportedly sold 50 tablets of Ecstasy worth P51,300 to a police officer who posed as a buyer at a bar along Rizal Avenue in Bonifacio Global City.

Southern Police District director Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said a drug sting was conducted against the suspects after they received information that they were involved in drug deals.

Nayashi and De Borja are being held at the Taguig police detention cell on drug charges. – Rey Galupo, Robertzon Ramirez, Non Alquitran, Romina Cabrera, Perseus Echeminada