Drug war: 2 dead, 65 arrested

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected drug pushers were killed and 65 others were apprehended in separate anti-narcotics operations in Metro Manila in the past two days.

In Manila, two suspects known only as Jerby and Jonathan died after they allegedly engaged police in a shootout along Malaya street in Balut, Tondo before dawn yesterday.

Senior Police Officer 4 Glenzor Vallejo of the Manila Police District homicide division said members of the MPD Station 1 drug enforcement unit conducted an operation against Jerby and Jonathan after they received information that the suspects were allegedly pushing drugs.

Police Officers 1 Christian Rico and Francisco Mendoza said they were able to buy shabu from the suspects.

When the suspects sensed that they were transacting with police, they fled on a motorcycle.

Police gave chase until an exchange of fire ensued, resulting in the killing of the suspects.

Probers said they recovered two .38-caliber handguns, three sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia and the marked money from the suspects.

More drug arrests

At least 31 drug suspects were arrested by police in simultaneous operations in Tondo, Sta. Mesa, Binondo and Baseco Compound in Port Area, Manila.

They were Ronalyn Habab, 33; Maria Hermina Habab, 53; Ma. Christina Habab, 28; Racquel Habab, 31; Mark Joseph Habab, 31; Proceso Ramos, 47; Catherine Kate Dayuno, 20; Siegmund Alvino; Rafel Sosa, 28; Ryan Jake Balis, 36; Armando Dasig, 47; Jayson Sioson, 30; Sonny Boy Borbe, 39, and Broderick Amado, 47.

Another group of anti-narcotics agents arrested Joemar Nocillado, 31; Romer Ascarez, 35; Romita San Juan, 42; Jayson Cruz, 21; Cedrix Nepomuceno, 18; Michelle Lizada, 19; Florinda Jamer, 36, Carlito Vargas, 39, Michael Sanchez, 32; and Romeo Cubacub, 54; Ramil Cervantes, 37; Razel Vega, 34; Analyn Elemancil, 37; Joselito Villamor, 28, and Ricardo Antipala, 34; Alexander Victoria and Emmanuel Custodio.

 Police said they recovered 23 sachets of shabu, Ecstasy tablets, firearms, a fragmentation grenade and drug paraphernalia during the stings.

In Quezon City, 21 people were rounded up by police in eight anti-narcotics operations.

Among the suspects were Jersey Ching, 36; Jonathan Marasig, 31; Benjo Ramos, 29; Rolando Marcos, 38, and Guilermo Gamboa, 37. They were nabbed in Barangays Krus na Ligas, UP Diliman,  Pasong Tamong and Apolinario Samson.

Police said they seized one kilo of dried marijuana leaves worth P30,000 from Casiano Baluyo Jr., 19, and a 17-year-old suspect in a sting in Novaliches.

Probers said the operation was an offshoot of a drug bust on Feb. 28 where 14.7 kilos of marijuana leaves were confiscated.

Six other drug suspects, Ann Francis Acosta, 47, Joven Moncilla, 18; Eroll James Jarapa, 27; Christian Acayen, 25; Romar Buctoan, 30, and Roy Lorenzo, 29, were apprehended after they allegedly sold shabu to policemen in Barangay Tatalon.

John Mark Ortega, 26; Jover Casin, 40, and Eric Alverni, 27, were collared while allegedly sniffing shabu in Barangay Sta. Lucia.

In Barangay Central, five more drug suspects were arrested by police. They were Dan Guatno, 38; Ana Maria Lama, 43; Arjay Peralta, 21, and two minors whose identities were withheld.

In Pasig City, Nelson Sta. Iglesia Jr., Reden Dacu, Hino Delmindo and Manuel Pasamba were nabbed after they allegedly yielded drugs.

Police arrested nine drug suspects in southern Metro Manila.

Jimmy Marande, 29, and Leo Paulo, 26, were nabbed for alleged shabu possession in Barangay Bangkal in Makati.

John Paul Labisto, 23; Cid Brewer, 28; Antonio Manansala, 47, and Elijah Aftab, 23, were collared in another anti-drug operation in Barangay West Rembo.

Police said they recovered seven sachets of shabu from the suspects.

Jayson Fernandez, 23, was nabbed in a drug sting along Daop Palad street in Barangay 201 in Pasay City.

Police said Fernandez allegedly yielded P300 worth of shabu.

Two other drug suspects, John Christopher Borbon, 31, and Samuel Dugenio, 31, of Sta. Maria Bulacan, were arrested at a bus terminal in Barangay Tambo, Parañaque City.

Superintendent Jenny Tecson, spokesperson for the Southern Police District, said authorities conducted the operation after receiving information about the suspects’ drug activities.

Police said they confiscated four sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia from Borbon and Dugenio. 

 The suspects are being held by police on charges of violating Republic Act 9165, the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. – Emmanuel Tupas, Non Alquitran, Robertzon Ramirez