13 killed in drug-related shootings

MANILA, Philippines – Thirteen more deaths linked to illegal drugs were reported across the country since Tuesday.

Four were slain during stings and another was gunned down in Bulacan.

Beejay Rigor and Rafael Jenca, residents of Barangay Partida in Norzagaray town, an alias Blondie and a man identified only as Sablay shot it out with anti-drug operatives, said Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director.

Unidentified motorcycle-riding men fired at Angelito Mendoza in Barangay Catanghalan in Obando. 

Caramat said the fatalities, who were on the barangay drug watchlist in their areas, yielded guns, sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia.

In Cebu, Ian Zafra and Joel Maing drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay Pakigne in Minglanilla town at around 8:15 p.m.

Senior Inspector Reslyn Abella, Central Visayas police spokesperson, said 20 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P236,000, a .45-caliber gun and a 9mm pistol were recovered from the fatalities.

Marvin Canencia and Joselito Macapas fired at anti-drug operatives in Barangay Saragosa in Alonguisan also in Cebu at around 5:30 p.m. The fatalities yielded 41 sachets of shabu worth P162,368 and two guns, police said.

 Meanwhile, police are eyeing a drug double-cross in  the killings of four persons in Isabela and Laguna.

Allandel Barbasa, 27, a self-confessed drug pusher, and his companions O’Neil Ryan Esquivel, 19, and Rexan Pascua were having a drinking spree in Barangay 4 in San Mateo town when a man opened fire.

Chief Inspector Emil Pajarillo, San Mateo police chief, said he believed the gunman targeted Barbasa, a “high-value” drug pusher who surrendered under Oplan Tokhang last year.

Junjun Escobañas, 32, was driving his tricycle when a certain Dodong shot him in Barangay San Agustin in Alaminos at around 10:50 a.m. yesterday. – Ric Sapnu, Raymund Catindig, Ed Amoroso, Emmanuel Tupas