MANILA, Philippines – At least seven suspected drug pushers and users were killed in Metro Manila over the past two days in the government’s war against illegal drugs.
In Quezon City, three drug suspects were killed while another was arrested in two anti-drug operations since Saturday night.
Rommel Esguerra, 40, and his unidentified companion were slain in a sting at the University of the Philippines arboretum at around 2:45 a.m. yesterday.
Police officers were allegedly able to buy P500 worth of shabu from Esguerra but his companion sensed that they were dealing with lawmen.
The two suspects reportedly pulled out their handguns, prompting police officers to shoot them.
A Colt Mark IV .45 caliber handgun, a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, a motorcycle, two fired cartridge cases and a deformed fired bullet were recovered at the crime scene.
Three sachets said to contain shabu were found in Esguerra’s pocket while another sachet was recovered from his companion.
Meanwhile, Severino Navasques, 38, was gunned down after he allegedly shot at police officers at his house on Masaya street in Barangay Gulod at around 6:15 p.m. Saturday.
Police officers were responding to a caller who reported an ongoing drug deal by a group of men in the area when the firefight ensued.
Edwin Miralles, 27, was apprehended while the rest escaped.
After Navasques was cornered at his house, he allegedly fired at police officers, who shot him.
Police recovered a .38 caliber handgun, a misfired bullet, five sachets said to contain shabu and various drug paraphernalia at the crime scene.
Also recovered from the slain suspect were two sachets containing suspected shabu.
Also in Quezon City, unidentified motorcycle-riding assailants killed Jem Rustan Acio, 31, after he bought snacks at a store along J.P. Rizal street in Barangay Bagong Silangan at around 9:30 p.m. Saturday.
Investigators said Acio underwent drug rehabilitation twice, based on his relatives’ testimonies.
At least 13 suspects were arrested during separate ant-drug operations in the city on Saturday: Metropolitan Manila Development Authority traffic enforcer Benedict Barreras, 42; Malon Dichoso, 36; Nicanor Caspe, 44; Froilan Vendivel, 47; Abul Khaer Alonto, 21; Achmad Jaleel Alonto, 27; Jomar Lentejas, 26; Chris Borromeo, 63; Salvador Fernando, 50; Joe Guevarra, 58; Vonne Christer, 26; Arnel Tupan, 28, and Joey Acio.
It is unclear whether Jem Rustan Acio and Joey Acio are related.
In Caloocan City, alleged pusher Armando Calungin, 43, was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers during a sting in his house in Barangay 31 at around 1:30 a.m. yesterday.
Probers recovered a .38 caliber revolver, drug paraphernalia and seven sachets of shabu in Calungin’s house.
In Mandaluyong City, unidentified assailants riding a motorcycle shot dead alleged pusher Morris Dognidon as he was walking at the corner of Calbayog and Mariveles streets in Barangay Highway Hills at around 5 p.m. Saturday.
In Pasig City, a vegetable vendor who reportedly moonlighted as a pusher was shot dead by three armed men along Georgia street in Barangay Pinagbuhatan at around 5:40 a.m. yesterday.
Ferdinand Tuason was taking his merchandise from a tricycle when he was attacked.
Tuason was on the barangay’s drug watchlist.
Also in Pasig, alleged pusher Aristeo Solido was shot by two armed men on Saturday.
Doctors at the Rizal Medical Center are trying to save his life, but Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director, said Solido’s condition is deteriorating.
“The doctors are trying to convince his family to donate his eyes, which means that his condition is not well as of this time,” Sapitula said in an interview.
Solido was talking with his friends along MRR street in Barangay Pineda just before 4 p.m. Saturday when the assailants attacked.
Sapitula said Solido is in the watchlist of drug personalities in Barangay Pineda.
He ordered the Pasig City police to dig deeper into the case of Solido, who could have been ordered killed by a rival drug pusher.