Alleged drug pusher slain, 16 arrested

MANILA Philippines - A suspected drug pusher died and 16 others were arrested in separate operations in Metro Manila in the past two days.

In Sta. Ana, Manila, Romeo Bagunas was killed after he allegedly engaged police in a firefight in front of his house at around 2 a.m. yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 2 John Charles Duran said they conducted an operation against Bagunas after receiving information that he was allegedly pushing drugs.

Prior to the shootout, Duran said PO2 Jesus Pagsibigan Falo managed to buy a sachet of shabu from Bagunas.

When Bagunas sensed that he was transacting with police, the suspect opened fire, prompting lawmen to return fire.

Probers said they recovered a .38-caliber pistol, a sachet of shabu and the marked money from Bagunas.

More arrests

In Parañaque, eight drug suspects were collared by police in four barangays in the city on Thursday night.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo said authorities also rounded up 65 people for violating city ordinances such as drinking in public and roaming half naked in the streets.

Modequillo said the anti-crime operations were conducted in Barangays Baclaran, Don Gallo, Sto. Niño and Tambo.

In Taguig, eight more drug suspects were arrested in anti-narcotics operations.

Police also nabbed two wanted persons and 62 minors for violating an ordinance on curfew.

Drug rehab program

Eleven former drug users recently graduated from “Bidahan,” a community-based treatment and rehabilitation program conducted by the Navotas Anti-Drug Abuse Council (NADAC).

The drug dependents underwent counseling sessions and spiritual renewal for six months.

“Drug addiction is an illness. Drug users need the love and support of their families,” Mayor John Rey Tiangco, who also heads NADAC, said. “Let us give them a chance to mend their ways to become productive citizens.”

Meanwhile, a 52-year-old man was killed by motorcycle-riding assailants in Mandaluyong City yesterday.

Andres Cabantoc, alias Panday, died at the scene from multiple gunshots to the body.

Cabantoc was not included in the drug watchlist of Barangay Addition Hills, Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said.

Sapitula ordered Senior Superintendent Joaquin Alva, Mandaluyong police chief, to look into the killing of Cabantoc.

Initial investigation showed that Cabantoc was sleeping when the assailants broke into his house in Barangay Addition Hills and opened fire at past 1 a.m.

Witnesses said the assailants fled on a motorcycle after the attack. – Rey Galupo, Robertzon Ramirez, Non Alquitran