3 drug suspects slain in Quiapo, Marikina

MANILA, Philippines -  Three suspected drug personalities were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila over the weekend.

In Manila, police shot dead two alleged drug pushers during a sting in Quiapo on Saturday.

Nazzer Guito, 35, and alias Keshih died while being treated at the Jose Abad Santos General Hospital.

Senior Police Officer 1 Donald Panaligan said members of the Manila Police District Station 3 conducted an anti-narcotics operation against Guito and Keshih along Arlegui street.

Guito and Keshih allegedly fired at Police Officer 3 Gener Paguyo, who posed as buyer,  prompting police to return fire.

Panaligan said the two were on the drug watchlist.

In Marikina, an alleged drug addict was killed after he shot and wounded his cousin as well as a policeman on Saturday.

Roan Baranda died from gunshots to the body while being taken to the hospital.

Baranda’s cousin, Wilfredo Lagaras, suffered gunshots to the left thigh and right arm. Police Officer 1 Hannie Acebron was declared out of danger at the Philippine National Police General Hospital at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said Baranda was on the drug watchlist of Barangay Marikina Heights.

Investigation showed that Lagaras and his cousin, Ricky Rentuza, were at the wake of their grandmother along Apitong street when Baranda, who was armed with a handgun, arrived.

An argument ensued between Lagaras and Baranda over an old grudge, according to Marikina police chief Senior Superintendent Lorenzo Holanday.

Holanday said Baranda fired at Lagaras during the quarrel.

After receiving information about the shooting, Holanday deployed Acebron and PO1 Alvin de la Cruz to the scene.

Instead of surrendering, Baranda opened fire and hit Acebron, prompting police to retaliate.

Baranda allegedly yielded a 9mm pistol.

12 fall in drug stings

In Caloocan City, nine people were apprehended when police raided two suspected drug dens on Saturday.

Members of the Police Community Precinct 3 swooped down on a house in Barangay 176, Bagong Silang and caught Analyn Santos, 35; Mark Joseph Nicandro, 29; Pedro Ramos, 36, and Edwin Roque, 43 in a pot session.

 After an hour, police arrested Aidels John Mangahas, 24; Joshua Vasquez, 27; Darius Caballero, 26; Allan Briones, 34, and Manrex Jamal, 21, in another anti-drug operation.

 The suspects are being held by police on charges of violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.

Three suspected drug suppliers in Quezon City were arrested in stings in Bulacan and Nueva Ecija.

Police said they recovered around five kilos of shabu worth P5.6 million from Melvin Samson, 42; Girlie Santiago, 22, and Kimberly Arzadon, 27. 

Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar, Quezon City Police District director, said Samson, who was on the drug watchlist of the Bulacan police, had been arrested in 2015.

Samson is out on bail on charges of drug possession, Eleazar said.

Samson and Santiago were collared in a sting in Barangay Maybubon in Guimba, Nueva Ecija.

Police arranged to buy P500,000 worth of shabu from Arzadon in a drug deal allegedly facilitated by Samson in Barangay Palibang in Calumpit, Bulacan.