10 more drug suspects slain

MANILA, Philippines - Ten suspected drug personalities were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila in the past two days.

In Mandaluyong City, two suspected drug users were slain by motorcycle-riding assailants.

Police identified the fatalities as Oscar Legaspi Jr., 37, and Jeffrey Oladive, 30.

Legaspi, a former overseas Filipino worker, was standing in front of his house at 69 Modesta Mateo street when two men on a motorcycle opened fire at around 2:50 p.m. on Thursday.

Although wounded, Legaspi managed to run inside the house, but one of the assailants gave chase and fired at him.

Legaspi died at the scene from multiple gunshots to the body.

Legaspi was on the drug watchlist of Barangay Pag-asa, Eastern Police District director Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula said.

Sapitula said Legaspi had surrendered to authorities under Oplan Tokhang in July last year.

Oladive, 30, a tricycle driver, was waiting for passengers at a transport terminal along Tanglaw street in Barangay Plainview when the unidentified assailants fired at him at past 8 p.m.

Oladive died on the spot from gunshots to the body.

Sapitula said Oladive was on the drug watchlist of Barangay Barangka.

Four more drug suspects were slain in separate shootings in Caloocan and Navotas cities.

Gary Francis Florendo, 45, was shot dead by unidentified assailants wearing bonnets in front of a burger store along Bagumbong Road in Barangay 171 in Caloocan.

Police said Florendo was allegedly involved in drug deals in the area.

Maximo Tranjia, 54; Marlon Tranjia, 39, and Roel Pugoy, 25, died in an alleged encounter with anti-narcotics operatives of the Navotas police during a sting along Sto. Niño street, Road 10 in Barangay Northbay Boulevard South.

The three died on the spot from gunshots to their bodies.

Probers said they recovered three guns and sachets of shabu at the scene.

In Manila, police killed two alleged drug peddlers during a sting in Tondo.

Rufino Mendez Jr., 49, and alias Ronald were slain after they allegedly engaged anti-narcotics agents in a shootout along Gabriel street at around 11:40 p.m.

Mendez and Ronald were pronounced dead on arrival at the Gat Andres Bonifacio Memorial Medical Center.

Police Officer 1 Jefferson Managuelod reportedly bought sachets of shabu from Mendez and Ronald prior to the firefight.

Probers said they recovered two.38-caliber revolvers and 17 sachets of shabu from the suspects.

A tricycle driver and a woman said to be involved in drugs were killed in Pateros and Parañaque yesterday.

Nelwyn Gardoce, 37, of Barangay Aguho, Pateros, was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle, according to Southern Police District spokesperson Superintendent Jenny Tecson.

Tecson said Gardoce was included in the barangay’s drug watchlist.

Police have yet to identify the woman whose body was found sprawled along Ninoy Aquino Avenue in Barangay Sto. Nino, Parañaque at past 2 a.m.

Probers said they were investigating if the killing was drug-related.

 Police declared it a death under investigation.  – Non Alquitran, Rey Galupo, Robertzon Ramirez, Perseus Echeminada