19 more drug suspects slain

MANILA, Philippines – Nineteen more drug suspects have been killed in separate incidents across the country.

Four died in an alleged shootout with police in Barangay Miranda in Pontevedra, Negros Occidental on Tuesday.

Two of the suspects were identified as Dodoy Tuvilla, the top drug suspect in Pontevedra, and a certain Junjun Lanzar.

Chief Inspector Mark Anthony Darroca, provincial anti-illegal drugs special operations task group head, said Tuvilla drew a gun when he sensed that they were dealing with undercover operatives.

Chief Inspector Ariel Pico, Pontevedra police chief, said two guns, ammunition, suspected shabu with an estimated street value of P30,000 as well as P46,880 in cash were recovered from the suspects.

In Camarines Sur, Romel Ostonal was killed in a sting in Barangay Paloyon Oriental in Nabua town.  He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Medical Mission Group Hospital.

Senior Inspector Malou Calubaquib, Bicol police spokesperson, said 18 drug pushers have been killed and over 30,000 surrendered in the region since July 1.

In Bulacan, Paulo Saseluya, 42; Joswel Leabres, 21; Jeffry Sanchez and Guillermo de la Cruz were killed in separate anti-drug operations yesterday and on Tuesday.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director, said 12 others were arrested in the towns of Norzagaray, Baliuag, Pandi, Balagtas, San Ildefonso and San Jose Del Monte City.

Caramat said 25 sachets of shabu, two sachets of marijuana, a bladed weapon and drug paraphernalia were recovered from the suspects.

In Guiguinto town, Marvin Santiago, 32, was found dead in front of his house in Barangay Sta. Cruz. His body bore a placard identifying him as a drug user.

Drug user kills self

Also in Bulacan, Virgilio Pineda, 52, a self-confessed drug user who recently surrendered in San Miguel town reportedly killed himself on Monday for fear of being executed.

Pineda allegedly drank an unknown brand of pesticide.

In Tarlac, a certain Bong Vargas, a resident of Barangay San Roque in Tarlac City, was killed in a sting yesterday.

Fish vendor Hassam Rivera, 24, was shot dead by unidentified men in front of his stall in Barangay Gen. Aguinaldo in Ramon, Isabela.

Rivera was among those who surrendered last week under Oplan Tokhang, said Chief Inspector Genesis Cabacungan.?

Quirino Basa, 40, was driving his motorcycle in Diffun town in Quirino when he was gunned down by a man on another motorcycle. Police said a sachet of shabu was found in the compartment of  Basa’s motorcycle.

3 found dead

The bodies of Jovit Baclig, Bonito Sebastian Jr. and Obet Valderama were found in a cemetery in Barangay Tapel in Gonzaga, Cagayan on Tuesday.

Senior Inspector Edgar Manuel, Gonzaga police chief, said Valderama was the eighth most wanted drug personality in the town while Baclig and Sebastian were known drug users.

Village councilman

Village councilman Loreto Gaoat, whom police said was ranked 11th on the drug watchlist of Sta. Maria, Ilocos Sur was shot dead by unidentified men yesterday.

Gaoat was driving his motorcycle when he was shot at around 9:45 a.m.

Meanwhile, two drug suspects were killed in separate anti-drug operations in Barangays Recodo and Tugbungan in Zamboanga City on Tuesday night. 

Chief Inspector Helen Galvez, Zamboanga City police spokesperson, identified the slain men as Ismael Pula, alias Lolong, and Reymond Acas, alias Totot. – Gilbert Bayoran, Raymund Catindig, Francis Elevado, Eva Visperas, Ric Sapnu, Ramon Efren Lazaro