6 more drug suspects slain

MANILA, Philippines - Six more drug suspects were killed in separate incidents in Luzon and Mindanao over the weekend.

The six included three in Pangasinan and one each in Agusan del Norte, Benguet and Camarines Sur.

Jay Relloza, said to be the top drug supplier in Binmaley, Pangasinan, and his companion Jestoni Bernardo, 27, were shot dead after they reportedly resisted police officers out to serve a warrant for their arrest.

Probers recovered two handguns and several plastic sachets said to contain shabu from the suspects.

In Dagupan City, Jay Morante of Barangay Malued was shot dead by two unidentified motorcycle-riding men in Centro Pantal.

City police chief Superintendent Christopher Abrahano said Morante was on the police drug list and was the ninth to be killed in the city since July 1.

In Benguet, mechanic Anthony Salaing was shot yesterday morning in a village in La Trinidad, where two drug suspects were executed last week by unidentified men.

Salaing, whom police said was on the drug list, was declared dead on arrival at the Benguet General Hospital. He was the fifth to be killed in La Trinidad since the nationwide anti-drug war started.

In Naga City, Noel Balla, 36, was killed after he tried to shoot it out with narcotics agents in Barangay Greenfield Peñafrancia on Saturday.

Seized from the suspect were a plastic sachet said to contain shabu and mark money.

In Butuan City, Daniel Esguerra, who earlier surrendered to the authorities was killed in a sting in Barangay Obrero.

Free legal assistance

Members of the Pangasinan police who may face charges for implementing President Duterte’s anti-illegal drug campaign will be given free legal assistance.

An agreement providing free legal assistance to police officers had been signed between the local chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

Baby Ruth Torre, IBP-Pangasinan president, said they are the first in the country to ink the pact with PNP chief Director General Ronald dela Rosa and Solicitor General Jose Calida on July 21.

“We are hoping the memorandum of agreement will be implemented nationwide,” Torre said.

She said they signed a similar agreement in February with the former acting provincial police chief and regional director of the National Police Commission.

“The new agreement is an affirmation of our commitment. The assistance however does not give the officers a license to commit illegal acts,” Torre said.

She said the IBP-Pangasinan has been conducting trainings and seminars to officers about the laws on illegal drugs.

Acting provincial police director Senior Superintendent Ronald Oliver Lee hailed the IBP-Pangasinan for the project.

The lawyers’ group had observed that some officers were not represented by counsels during the hearings of their cases due to financial reasons.

Torre said an accused officer has to undergo evaluation by the legal team before he could qualify for the program.