MANILA, Philippines - At least seven people believed to be involved in illegal drugs were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila in the past two days.
In Caloocan City, three suspected drug pushers were slain in anti-narcotics operations on Monday night.
Police identified the fatalities as Rogelio Morales, 43, and two others known only as Philip and Raffy.
Chief Inspector Ilustre Mendoza, assistant city police chief, said the suspects died after they allegedly engaged police in shootouts in Barangay 183, Sta. Quiteria and Tala.
Police said they recovered shabu and marijuana from the suspects.
In Navotas, a drug suspect was found dead at a public cemetery along Gov. Pascual street in Barangay San Jose at around 4 a.m. yesterday.
Jose Reyes, 48, of Medina street, North Bay Boulevard North, died from multiple gunshots to the body.
Reyes’ sister, Maria Victoria Sarenas, admitted to police that he was hooked on drugs.
In Mandaluyong, an alleged drug pusher was shot dead by unidentified assailants shortly after midnight yesterday.
Agustin Panes, alias Sonny, died on the spot from gunshots to the body.
His companion, Jhanna Khan, a drug surrenderee, was wounded in the attack. She was taken to the Mandaluyong City Medical Center for treatment.
Panes was on the drug watchlist of Barangay Addition Hills, Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said.
Investigation showed that Panes and Khan were walking along Block 30, Welfareville Compound in Barangay Addition Hills when the assailants opened fire at past 12 a.m.
In Parañaque City, two drug suspects were killed by police in Barangay San Dionisio on Monday night.
City police chief Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo said they received information that the motorcyce-riding suspects, one of them known only as Jong, were about to deliver illegal drugs in the area.
When they sensed the presence of police, the suspects opened fire, prompting lawmen to return fire.
Authorities said they recovered a .38-caliber revolver, a .22-caliber revolver and 12 sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia from the suspects.
More arrests
Seven drug suspects were arrested in separate police operations in Quezon City on Monday.
Dennis de la Cruz, 42, and Jackielou Serrano, 35, were nabbed in Barangay Sauyo after they allegedly sold shabu to a policeman who posed as a buyer, police said.
De la Cruz and Serrano allegedly yielded 16 sachets of shabu worth P30,000 and drug paraphernalia.
Buenaventura Alcantara III, 36, and Manuel Nuque, 60, were apprehended for alleged shabu possession in Barangay Sta. Teresita.
Police said they conducted an operation against Alcantara and Nuque after receiving information that they were allegedly pushing drugs.
In Barangay Apolonio Samson, an informant tipped off police that Sherwin Sedlacan, 40, and Jonelle Gabutero, 40, were allegedly engaged in a pot session.
Sedlacan and Gabutero were collared after they were allegedly caught sniffing shabu.
Police arrested Aiza Cristobal, 34, after she allegedly attempted to smuggle shabu into the Kamuning police station where her partner was detained.
Cristobal concealed the shabu in her underwear, police said. – Rey Galupo, Non Alquitran, Perseus Echeminada, Emmanuel Tupas