Drug war: 5 suspects slain, village execs nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - Five more suspected drug personalities have been killed in separate incidents across the country.

Two men were shot dead when they confronted a man who sold alum powder, locally known as tawas, instead of shabu to them in Purok 6B, Barangay Recodo in Zamboanga City on Saturday.

The victims were identified as Jeffrey Agustin, 18, and Nurvin Sugula, 28, residents of Barangays Tulungatong and Ayala, respectively.

Albasri Mohammad Pattaalam, 28, was arrested in a follow-up operation.  

In Masbate City, Joe Santander, 51, and Elmer Orcullo, 40, drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents in Purok Lapu-Lapu in Barangay Pating on Sunday, said Superintendent Ruben Padua Jr., acting city police chief. 

Eric Filart, 43, was gunned down in Barangay 8 in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur at around 8 a.m. yesterday. Police said the fatality recently surrendered under Oplan Tokhang.

High-value suspects

Meanwhile, several high-value drug suspects, including three barangay officials, were arrested in stings over the weekend.

In Nueva Ecija, Lou Salvador, 50, chairman of Barangay Poblacion West in Lupao town, and village councilmen Joven Dadag and Jonathan Sinagose were arrested on Sunday.

Senior Superintendent Antonio Yarra, Nueva Ecija police director, said the village officials are the top three drug suspects in the province.

Police Officer 1 Kenneth Gervir Casani, Ricky Masisay and Jomaira Espina were collared in Mati City in Davao Oriental.

The suspects yielded sachets of shabu, guns and ammunition, police said.

In Butuan City, 215 grams of shabu with an estimated value of P2.6 million were seized in stings in Barangays Langihan and Masao on Saturday.

Ariel Reposo, 45, and Allan Yamba, 38, were arrested. – Roel Pareño, Francis Elevado, Manny Galvez, Ben Serrano, Edith Regalado, Ric Sapnu, Jun Elias