Bulacan drug war: Cops kill 11 more

MANILA, Philippines -  Eighteen more drug suspects were killed across the country, as the government continued its campaign against illegal drugs in the past two days.

Eleven were killed at the continuation of the “One Time, Big Time” operation in Bulacan on Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 32.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director, said a certain Ronnie shot it out with anti-drug operatives in Bulakan town, Jojo de Belen in Calumpit, Ansiong in Pandi, Wilfredo Pleno in Plaridel, Joseph Gentolia in San Ildefeonso, Rommel Victorino and his unidentified companion in Sta. Maria and a certain Alvin, Victoria de la Cruz and Quintin in Malolos.

Bryan Velayo reportedly engaged intelligence operatives and elite Special Weapons and Tactics teams in a shootout.

Caramat said 53 other drug suspects were arrested, bringing the number of suspects in custody to 107. He said 367 sachets of shabu weighing over 200 grams with an estimated street value of over P1 million, 765 grams of marijuana leaves, two grenades, 34 firearms as well as various types of ammunition were recovered from the suspects.

Highest death toll

Caramat  admitted that the death toll in the operations, which coincided with the 439th anniversary of Bulacan, was the highest so far.

He assured the public that he is ready to face any investigation into the legitimacy of the operations, saying these were aimed at accounting for and not killing drug personalities in the province.

“We know we have not done anything wrong…We are open to any investigation,” Caramat said. “As much as possible, we don’t want any bloody encounter, but we don’t have control of the situation.”

Probe deaths 

Presidential spokesman Ernesto Abella said the Philippine National Police Internal Affairs Service (PNP-IAS) would investigate the deaths as a “matter of procedure.” 

Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police director, said the IAS would investigate the “legitimacy of the operations to…show that we are following the rule of law and police operational procedure.”

Aquino noted that the fatalities were “notorious drug users and dealers” who had continued with their illegal activities even though they surrendered under Oplan Tokhang.

Meanwhile, Eleazar Domingo was slain in a sting in Barangay Tablang, Paniqui, Tarlac also on Tuesday and Joseph Moseros in Mangero, San Andres, Quezon yesterday.

In Leyte, Kenneth Bertess, 24, and Aldrin Iriete,  42, engaged policemen in a shootout at the house owned by Mauro Loteyro in Barangay 59-A, Tacloban City.

Jeffrey Palomares, 35, and Orlando Gabriel shot anti-drug operatives who posed as buyers of shabu in Barangay San Rafael, Cararayan, Naga, Camarines Sur.

Alleged drug pusher Abelardo Sarreal was shot by an unidentified man in Barangay Dulong Bayan, Bacoor, Cavite also on Tuesday. – Cecille Suerte Felipe, Alexis Romero, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, Miriam Desacada, Ed Amoroso, Francis Elevado