3 drug suspects slain, 11 nabbed

MANILA, Philippines -  Police killed three suspected drug pushers and arrested 11 others in separate operations in Metro Manila over the weekend.

In Caloocan City, Michael Cris Santos, 36, of Premier Hills, Barangay 168, Deparo, and his unidentified cohort died after they allegedly engaged policemen in a firefight at around 2:30 a.m. yesterday.

A Toyota Wigo driven by Santos was pulled over by members of the Police Community Precinct 3 at a checkpoint along Barugo Road, Barangay 176 in Bagong Silang.

Instead of stopping, Santos allegedly ran through the police barrier as his companion opened fire at police.

Authorities gave chase. When cornered, the suspects allegedly fired at police, prompting them to return fire.

Police said they recovered a .45-caliber pistol, a .38-caliber revolver and four sachets of shabu from Santos.

Suspected drug pusher Michael Veras was killed during a drug sting at the corner of Road 7 and Congressional Road in Barangay 178 on Saturday night.

Veras died at the scene from gunshots to the body. His companion, Allan Daez, eluded arrest, according to Senior Inspector Harold Aaron Melgar.

Veras allegedly yielded a .38-caliber revolver and two sachets of shabu.

Drug arrests

In Quezon City, eight drug suspects were apprehended in separate anti-narcotics operations on Saturday. 

Police identified the suspects as Richard Dizon, 37; August Padilla, 21; Alvin de la Cruz, 18; Manuel Liwag, 50; John Rey Encarnacion, 28; Renato Rivera, 42; Nestor Cruz, 43, and a 17-year-old boy.

They were collared in drug stings in Barangays Bagong Pag-asa, Bagbag, Kaunlaran and Ramon Magsaysay.

Police said they recovered sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia from the suspects.

In Mandaluyong, police arrested Arwin Torres, alias Awie; Leo Bautista, alias Tikyo, and Pedro del Prado during a raid on a house allegedly used as a drug den yesterday.

Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said Torres was on the drug watchlist of Barangay Hagdang Bato.

Police Officer 1 Jarence Maestre said he was able to buy P200 worth of shabu from Torres.

After the deal was consummated, Torres invited Maestre to the drug den located at 324 Neptali Gonzales street where Bautista and Del Prado were allegedly caught in the act of sniffing shabu.

The suspects are being held by police on charges of violating Republic Act 6135, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.