Drug war: Barangay chief, 5 others killed

MANILA, Philippines – A barangay chairman and five others believed to be involved in the illegal drug trade were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila in the past two days.

Alberto Carpio, chairman of Barangay 100, Zone 8 in Tondo, Manila, was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle at past 4 p.m. yesterday, police said.

Carpio was rushed to the Tondo Medical Center where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Reports said Carpio was checking on a Christmas tree, which would be set up at the corner of Jacinto and Roxas streets when the assailants fired at him.

Probers said they have yet to establish if the killing of Carpio was related to drugs.  

 Suspected drug pusher Gelbert Begelme, 30, was killed by unidentified gunmen along Kamias street in Sta. Ana, also in Manila.

Begelme died at the scene from four gunshots to the body.

He was described as a known drug user in the area.

In Quezon City, a suspected drug pusher was killed and 14 others were arrested by police during a raid on a drug den on Tuesday.

Edris Dimnang, 42, was killed after he allegedly engaged anti-narcotics operatives in a shootout along Kasiyahan street in Barangay Holy Spirit.

Prior to the shootout, police raided the house of Daniel Macatigbac, which was allegedly used as a drug den.

The raiders apprehended Macatigbac and 13 others who were engaged in a shabu session.

They are being held at the Batasan police station on drug charges.

The Quezon City police arrested  50 more suspected drug pushers and users in separate operations since Tuesday.

Two drug suspects were killed in the cities of Marikina and Mandaluyong.

 Romeo Mallari, 42, was shot dead by unidentified men along Abello street in Olandes, Barangay IVC in Marikina.

Police described Mallari as a known drug pusher in the area.

John Paul Diamsay, a construction worker, was standing in front of a store in Barangay Addition Hills, Mandaluyong when an unidentified assailant fired at him.

Diamsay died at the scene from a gunshot to the head.

Probers said Diamsay was on the drug watchlist of Barangay Addition Hills.

Another drug suspect was killed and nine others, including a couple, were arrested in anti-drug operations in the cities of Caloocan, Valenzuela and Navotas yesterday.

Gary Geronimo Abata was killed in a reported shootout with Caloocan policemen during a sting at his house in Barangay 33, Maypajo.

Police said they recovered a .22-caliber revolver and shabu from Abata.

Couple Ronald Allan and Gretchen Isip were arrested when authorities raided their house in Valenzuela City based on a search warrant issued by Judge Maria Nena Santos.

The couple allegedly yielded 17 sachets of shabu.

Police said Ronald Allan was on the drug watchlist.

Seven more drug suspects were apprehended in Valenzuela and Navotas cities.

Scholarship, livelihood assistance

Meanwhile, the Muntinlupa City government will grant scholarship and livelihood assistance to 618 drug surrenderees.

Tez Navarro, city information officer, said the drug surrenderees had passed the screening for enrolment in technical-vocational schools.

Navarro said the local government would also provide them financial assistance so they could start a small business.

Mayor Jaime Fresnedi said he supports the Duterte administration’s war on drugs as he pushed for the reintegration of drug surrenderees into society.

Over 3,000 drug suspects in Muntinlupa have surrendered to police under Oplan Tokhang since June.