MANILA, Philippines - Another drug suspect was killed in an alleged shootout with anti-drug operatives while two others were gunned down by suspected vigilantes yesterday.
An alias Rolly, a resident of Barangay Bagna in Malolos, Bulacan reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to policemen who posed as buyers at around 2:25 a.m.
Construction worker Edgardo Najera, 33, was walking in Sitio Dike, Barangay Banga 2nd in Plaridel also in Bulacan when he was shot.
Police said the fatalities were on the drug watchlist in their areas.
Meanwhile, police are not ruling out illegal drugs as the motive for the shooting that killed burger stand attendant Rachelle del Rosario in Barangay Patul, Santiago, Isabela also yesterday. Two men on a motorcycle were seen leaving the area after the incident.
At least 32 others were arrested across the country in the past two days.
Among those arrested was Florante Duarte, chairman of Barangay Viga in Lasam, Cagayan; Alden Jake de la Cruz, who was ranked seventh on the drug watchlist of Sta. Ana, Cagayan, and Jessie Calinga, 13th on the list of drug personalities in Alicia, Isabela.
Senior Inspector Leon Umbrero Jr., Lasam police chief, said sachets of shabu, explosives, a caliber .45 pistol and ammunition were recovered during a raid on Duarte’s house.
Duarte’s arrest came after his barangay was declared “drug-free.”
Ten other drug suspects were arrested in San Jose del Monte, Pulilan, Balagtas and Pandi in Bulacan; four in Olongapo; six each in Angeles, Pampanga and Pandag, Maguindanao, two in Laguna and one in Ilocos Norte.
– Ric Sapnu, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Raymund Catindig, Janie Cameron, Emmanuel Tupas