4 drug suspects slain, 13 nabbed in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — At least four drug suspects were killed and 13 others were arrested in Metro Manila since the weekend.

Suspected pushers John Rey Mascarado, Arnel Torres, and Ryan Paglinawan died in an alleged shootout with police officers from the Manila Police District Station 2 during a sting at the Aduana Business Club just before noon yesterday.

A .45 caliber pistol, a .38 caliber revolver, an improvised shotgun, a hand grenade and several sachets of shabu were recovered at the crime scene.

In Malabon, a drug dependent who surrendered under Oplan Tokhang in 2016 was shot dead by unidentified assailants on Saturday.

Oliver Ventura, 53, was walking along an alley in Barangay San Agustin when he was shot in the head by two men at past 7 p.m.

Police recovered four bullet casings from a .45 caliber pistol, two bullet casings from a 9mm pistol and a deformed bullet.

In Quezon City, eight drug suspects were arrested and over P500,000 worth of drugs were seized in separate busts.

Police seized 50 grams of shabu in 14 sachets, with a street value of P250,000, from Ruben Gorospe, 30, and Celso Bravante, 32, in a sting in Barangay UP Village.

Gorospe, who was cleared in a drug case in 2007, was put under surveillance following reports of his alleged involvement in the drug trade in Barangay Botocan.

In Barangay Payatas, Allan Banie, 29, was caught with 11 sachets of shabu with a street value of P110,00 in another sting.

Seven sachets of shabu, with a street value of more than P210,000 and a .38 caliber revolver were confiscated from Arlen Jumawan, 38; Pearljoy Orde, 27; Bambam Polgo, 32; Noemy Uy, 20; and Arvin Ehino, 30, in a bust in Barangay Bagong Pag-asa.

In Parañaque City, tricycle drivers Alfonso Estolonio, 48; Johny Marasigan, 36; Louie Ampara, 39; Ferdinand Aquino, 34; and Ferdinand Catinguel, 32, were caught allegedly using shabu in a shanty in Barangay San Isidro at past noon on Sunday.

Four sachets of shabu, a tooter made of aluminum foil and two disposable lighters were seized from the suspects.