Drug suspect slain, 6 nabbed in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — A taxi driver allegedly involved in illegal drugs was shot dead by an unidentified assailant and six others were apprehended in Metro Manila in the past two days.

Julius Ysmael, 36, of Tambo, Parañaque City, was in his taxi (UVC-753) when a motorcycle-riding suspect fired at him at the intersection of Osano street and Bonifacio Avenue in Barangay Central Bicutan in Taguig yesterday. 

Ysmael died on the spot from gunshots to the body.

Police said they recovered packs of shabu from Ysmael’s cab.

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

They were Hiram Ulyses, 37; Love Joy Serillo, 31; Mar Zafra and Allan Lopido, 38.

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director, said the suspects were collared in drug stings in Barangays Pasong Tamo, Pinyahan and Balon Bato.

Probers said Ulyses and Serillo were nabbed after they allegedly handed over a sachet of shabu to a policeman who posed as a buyer.

Zafra allegedly yielded four sachets of shabu and P2,000 in marked money.

Policemen on routine patrol accosted Lopido while he was walking half-naked in Barangay Balon Bato. When frisked, the suspect allegedly yielded a sachet of shabu.

In Manila, two suspected drug dealers were arrested by agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

Noel Jumadiao and Jun Gariando allegedly yielded 50 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P250,000, according to PDEA chief Aaron Aquino.

Jumadiao and Gariando were collared during a drug bust at a shopping mall in Ermita.

Aquino said the suspects allegedly sold shabu to a PDEA agent who posed as a buyer.

The suspects are being held by police on charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.