Drug war continues for vigilantes
Policemen stand guard near the body of a man killed during what police said was a drug-related vigilante killing in Barangay Manggahan in Pasig City early yesterday. Photo by JOVEN CAGANDE
Manila, Philippines - The killings continue.
Vigilante groups seem to be ignoring the suspension of the police anti-drug campaign “Oplan Tokhang” as two more suspected drug offenders were killed in separate incidents in Pateros and Pasig City yesterday.
Edicer Sorima of Barangay Sta. Ana, Pateros was shot repeatedly by unidentified gunmen who barged into his house.
Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario, director of the Southern Police District (SPD), said several witnesses saw the gunmen emerge from Sorima’s house after shooting the victim.
Apolinario said the killing of Sorima could be drug-related, the victim having been a known drug pusher in the community.
Joven Boñaga of Barangay Manggahan, Pasig City was about to buy a bottle of beer when four gunmen approached and shot him repeatedly.
Supt. Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District (EPD), said Boñaga died on the spot from multiple gunshot wounds in the body.
Sapitula said Boñaga previously surrendered to the police under Oplan Tokhang as he had been using illegal drugs and promised to go straight.
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Ronald dela Rosa on Monday ordered the suspension of Tokhang, citing the abuse of errant policemen taking advantage of the PNP’s campaign against illegal drugs to extort money from unsuspecting victims.
Dela Rosa said the PNP is no longer allowed to conduct anti-illegal drug operations and would instead focus on internal cleansing.
Dela Rosa believes the suspension of Tokhang would also put a stop to the summary killings of suspected drug offenders by vigilante groups.
A day after the suspension, there were no reported summary killings of drug suspects, much to the delight of many sectors.
The police, however, continued to implement their anti-illegal drug operations in arresting seven suspects caught in a pot session in Barangay Talipapa, Quezon City on Tuesday.
The Quezon City Police said they had to act on a complaint of an ongoing pot session in the area.
At least there were no reports of “nanlaban,” or cases where drug suspects resisted arrest and shot it out with policemen. – With Romina Cabrera
- Latest
- Trending
