Barangay kagawad, 10 more drug suspects slain

MANILA, Philippines – A barangay kagawad or councilman and 10 others believed to be involved in the illegal drug trade were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila in the past two days.

Randy Ilagan, 37, councilman of Barangay Sta. Lucia in Pasig City, was slain in an ambush by four armed men, police said.

Ilagan died at the scene from multiple gunshots to the body.

Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said Ilagan’s killing could be drug-related because of his alleged links to drug personalities in the barangay.

Sapitula formed a Special Investigation Task Group to look into the murder of Ilagan.

Initial investigation showed that Ilagan was driving his white Mitsubishi Montero GLX (ASA-8591) along M. Eusebio street in Barangay San Miguel when the assailants on two motorcycles opened fire at him at past 6 p.m. on Monday.

Witnesses said the gunmen fled after the attack.

Responding scene of the crime operatives recovered spent shells and deformed slugs at the scene.

Another drug suspect was shot and wounded by unidentified assailants in Pasig at dawn yesterday.

Ericson Amate, 38, suffered gunshots to the body and was taken to the Rizal Medical Center for treatment.

Residents described Amate as a drug pusher and user in Barangay Pineda, Sapitula said.

Reports said that Amate was walking at the corner of Banaag and Sto. Niño streets when the motorcycle-riding assailants fired at him at around 2:30 a.m.

In Caloocan City, seven suspected drug personalities were slain in separate shootings.

Arnel Ramos, 43, and two others known only as Jomar and Berto were reportedly having a pot session at a house along Rainbow street in Barangay 168, Deparo when unidentified armed men barged in and opened fire.

The three died at the scene from gunshots to the body.

Ronald Espiritu, 26, of Zamboanga Alley in Barangay 153, Bagong Barrio, was talking to a friend in front of a house along Pagasa street in Barangay 147 when two hooded men on a motorcycle fired at him on Monday night.

Espiritu was on the drug watchlist of Barangay 152, Senior Inspector Ilustre Mendoza, head of the Caloocan police investigation unit, said.

Espiritu was rushed to the MCU Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Mendoza said Espiritu was  charged with robbery and physical injuries before the city prosecutor’s office.

Drug suspect Melanie Bayani, 30, was gunned down by two unidentified men on a motorcycle at the corner of Calye Uno and Natividad streets in Barangay 81.

An alleged drug pusher known only as Albert was killed by anti-narcotics agents in a reported shootout during a sting at Block 9, Pamasawata in Barangay 28.

The operatives led by Superintendent Ali Duterte also arrested eight drug suspects during the operation. They were Emmanuel Licuanan, Shindy Ozawa, Myrna Centeno, Robina Intal, Ryan Labayo, Kenneth Cayetano and two minors.

Romel Laloyan, 27, was sleeping with his partner when unidentified assailants broke into their house on Liano street, Suncrest in Barangay 167 and opened fire at him.

Residents in the area told police that Laloyan was involved in drug deals.

In Pasay, an alleged drug user was gunned down by motorcycle-riding assailants.

Noel Maraya Jr. 19, who was previously detained at the Pasay City jail for theft, died at the scene from gunshots to the body, Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario, Southern Police District director, said.

Police said Maraya was on the drug watchlist.

Maraya’s mother admitted that he was a drug user.

In Taguig, two drug suspects were shot dead by an unidentified assailant in Barangay Western Bicutan.

Police identified the fatalities as Blaster Batula, 27, and Jobert Abalos, 29, both of TUP Compound.

Batula and Abalos were described as known drug pushers in the city, authorities said. – Non Alquitran, Rey Galupo, Emmanuel Tupas