Barangay exec, 4 others slain in drug attacks

MANILA, Philippines - Ignacio Gallero, 43, was a member of Barangay Bagong Ilog’s security force, said Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director.

“We are now looking into his line of work as the possible motive behind his slaying,” Sapitula said in an interview.

According to initial reports, four armed assailants barged into Gallero’s house on A. Flores street at around 2:10 p.m. Wednesday.

Jerlyn Bernal, Gallero’s partner, said the assailants shot him repeatedly despite the victim pleading for his life. He died at the scene.

Senior Superintendent Orlando Yebra Jr., Pasig police chief, created a tracker team to go after the assailants.

Also in Pasig, alleged pusher Edgar Santos Jr., 32, was chatting with a certain Macoy along Lopez Jaena street in Barangay Sta. Rosa when two assailants on a motorcycle attacked at around 10:30 a.m. yesterday.

The back rider repeatedly shot Santos, who was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, witnesses said.

Santos was categorized as a pusher in Barangay Sumilang’s drug watchlist, Sapitula said.

In Mandaluyong City, alleged thief Antonio Berlon Jr., 45, was shot dead by four armed men as he was watching television at a house at the corner of Boni Avenue and Sto. Rosario street in Barangay Plainview just before 5 p.m. Wednesday.

Berlon, who is on Barangay Plainview’s drug watchlist, died at the scene, Sapitula said. Witnesses failed to get a clear view of the suspects, who wore helmets and black jackets, he added. 

Also in Mandaluyong, drug surrenderee Noel Matabalan, 57, was making a purchase at a neighborhood store along Ginhawa street in Barangay Barangka Drive when four assailants walked up to him and shot him at around 3:20 p.m. Wednesday. 

The victim, who died on the way to the hospital, had a pending drug case in court, Sapitula said. 

In Pasay, unidentified assailants barged into the house of Arnold Buenaventura, 46, along Legaspi street in Barangay 147 and shot him repeatedly.

The victim, who was declared dead on arrival at a hospital, was on the city government’s drug watchlist, said Superintendent Jenny Tecson, Southern Police District spokesperson.

– With Emmanuel Tupas