PNP drug war relaunch: Slain suspects hit 102

MANILA, Philippines — The number of drug suspects killed since the police rejoined the war on illegal drugs has reached 102, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent John Bulalacao said the 102 were slain in anti-drug operations since December after 14 were added to the list since Feb. 22.

Data from the PNP Directorate for Operations showed that Metro Manila had the highest number of drug-related deaths in the past week with six, followed by Central Luzon and Soccsksargen with three each.

“The suspects, who were subjects of police operations reportedly put up fights against the arresting officers,” Bulalacao told a press briefing.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency said a total of 4,021 drug suspects have been killed in law enforcement operations  since July 1, 2016.

Records show that 10,088 suspected drug pushers and users were arrested in 6,477 operations across the country since the PNP rejoined the drug war last Dec. 5.

Bloodless Oplan Tokhang

The PNP said there is still no reported death under the relaunched Oplan Tokhang, which led to the surrender of more than 3,000 suspected users and pushers.

The highest numbers of surrenderees were recorded in Northern Mindanao and Metro Manila at 405 and 240, respectively.

Tokhang, which means knock and plead in Cebuano, is conducted during daytime from Monday to Friday.

The PNP said there are 12,287 suspects on the updated drug watchlist. At least 589 persons, including government officials, were added to the list on Feb. 15.

1 dead in Bulacan drug sting

Meanwhile, Alfredo Flores Jr., 47, with aliases of Tattoo and Momon, reportedly shot it out with anti-drug operatives in Barangay Parulan, Plaridel, Bulacan on Thursday.

Police said 11 sachets of shabu, a caliber .45 pistol and marked money were recovered from the fatality.

Senior Inspector Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police director, said nine other persons  were arrested in stings in San Jose del Monte, Meycauayan, Norzagaray and Calumpit. He said the suspects yielded 29 sachets of shabu weighing around  22.4 grams, drug paraphernalia and marked money.

Teen held for P1.5-M shabu

In Capiz, a 17-year-old and a couple were arrested for alleged possession of around P1.5 million worth of shabu also on Thursday.

Florencio Abalayan, 37, and his partner Cherry Jardeleza, 34, both residents of Barangay Tiza, Roxas City and the minor were nabbed in Sitio Ilaya, Barangay Sibuguan. – With Ramon Efren Lazaro, Gilbert Bayoran