2 drug suspects slain in Bulacan; 22 nabbed

MANILA, Philippines - Two more suspected drug personalities were killed in Bulacan on Sunday.

The fatalities were identified as Bryan Santiago, alias Noel, a resident of Barangay Sto. Nino in Paombong town, and Sherwin Mendoza, 30, of Barangay Lias, Marilao. 

Santiago reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents. 

Two sachets of shabu, marked money, a gun and nine bullet shells for a 9mm pistol and a .38-caliber revolver were recovered at the scene. 

Witnesses said unidentified motorcycle-riding men fired at Mendoza and left a piece of paper identifying him as a carjacker and drug addict. 

Police said the fatalities were on the drug watchlist in  their respective barangays.

Meanwhile, 22 other suspected drug pushers were arrested in stings across the country in the past three days. 

Richard Manuel Tanpua, 33, village watchman of Barangay Zambowood; Jenelyn Almasan, alias Madam; Darfaisa Husain, alias Ikih, and Badar Khaleed Mohammad were arrested in police operations in Zamboanga City on Sunday, said Superintendent Rogelio Alabata, Zamboanga peninsula police spokesman. 

Roland Realiza, Ramirez Realiza, Donnie Karl Dalmacio and Alfredo Putong, alias Undoy, were nabbed in Dipolog City also on Sunday. 

Most of the suspects surrendered under Oplan Tokhang last year, police said.

At least 14 others were collared in anti-drug operations in Naga City, Camarines Sur on Saturday. – Ric Sapnu, Roel Pareño, Francis Elevado