6 dead in drug attacks

MANILA, Philippines - At least six persons have been killed in drug-related attacks in Metro Manila since Monday.

In Marikina, four of the victims – Michelle Mergillano, Emilio Lamsen III, Michael Vitalico and Bernie Subungan – were shot dead by motorcycle-riding assailants in less than half an hour on Monday.

The victims were on Barangay Malanday’s drug watchlist, said Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director, adding that he strongly believes they were “silenced” by their rivals in the illegal drug trade.

He ordered Marikina police chief Senior Superintendent Lorenzo Holanday to investigate the incident.

Mergillano was in her house on Hyacinth street when neighbors heard gunshots at around 7:45 p.m. and saw a man wearing a helmet and a white shirt rushing out of her house.

At around the same time, Vitalico was watching television when assailants on six or seven motorcycles stopped in front of his house on Zinc street.

Wearing helmets and masks, the assailants kicked the door open and shot Vitalico repeatedly.

At around 8:03 p.m., Lamsen was watching television at a neighbor’s house along Kabayani Road when motorcycle-riding assailants wearing helmets, jackets and masks shot him. Their motorcycles did not have license plates, witnesses said.

At around 8:10 p.m., Subungan was with several others along Sunflower street when assailants, riding motorcycles without license plates, shot him. They wore helmets, jackets and masks, witnesses said.

In Pasig, tricycle driver Rogelio Dumpit, 58, was waiting for passengers near a convenience store in Barangay Pineda when two assailants on a motorcycle stopped behind him at around 5:30 p.m. Monday.

The back rider pulled out a handgun and shot Dumpit in different parts of the body.

Dumpit was categorized as a pusher and user in Barangay Pineda’s drug watchlist, Sapitula said.

Executed

In Manila, the alleged leader of a gang engaged in robbery and drug pushing was found dead under a bridge in Tondo at around 11 p.m. Monday.

Renato Puro, 28, was found with his hands tied behind his back. He had been repeatedly shot in the head, neck and chest, said Superintendent Robert Domingo, Manila Police District Station 1 commander.

A scavenger saw two men on a motorcycle dumping the victim’s body, he added.

Investigators found a plastic tube and a sachet of shabu in Puro’s pockets.

Domingo ordered police officers to conduct a follow-up operation against Joshua Bajar, allegedly the leader of a rival gang.

“It could be a double-cross or failure to remit drug proceeds. We have stopped Operation Tokhang, that’s why these groups are now back to their old ways,” he told The STAR.

Puro’s partner, Mary Ann de Luna, 21, denied that the victim was into drug pushing and other crimes.