MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected drug pushers died in what police said was a shootout in Binondo, Manila before dawn yesterday.
The fatalities, known only as alias Resty and Jomar, allegedly engaged members of the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 11 led by Senior Inspector Geuel Capuz in a firefight along Delpan street at around 1:30 a.m.
MPD Station 11 commander Superintendent Amante Daro said they conducted a sting against the suspects after receiving information that they were allegedly pushing drugs.
When the suspects sensed that they were dealing with police, they opened fire, prompting authorities to retaliate.
Probers said they recovered two .38-caliber handguns and eight sachets of shabu from the suspects.
Drug stings net 22
In Quezon City, 10 persons were arrested in separate anti-drug operations.
Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar said two drug suspects were collared in Barangay E. Rodriguez Sr.
Dennise Marie Enriquez, 27, and Aman Tormis, 28, were nabbed after they allegedly sold shabu to a police officer who posed as a buyer.
They allegedly yielded nine sachets of shabu.
Michael Per, 32, and Judimar Ronquillo, 20, were apprehended by patrolling policemen in Barangay Paang Bundok.
The two tried to escape when policemen approached them. When frisked, two sachets of shabu were allegedly found in their possession.
Four men were arrested while supposedly in a drug deal with their clients in Barangay Pasong Tamo.
Police said 12 sachets of shabu were allegedly confiscated from Frank Joseph Pangilinan, 19; Nestor Tablante, 30; Sammy Japag, 25, and Jonathan Rubio, 18.
Another suspect, Elmer Labajo, 33, was nabbed for alleged possession of shabu and drug paraphernalia in Barangay Sangandaan.
Suspected drug dealer Alvin delos Santos was held in an entrapment operation in Barangay White Plains.
Police said they recovered from Delos Santos four sachets of shabu.
Eight more drug suspects were nabbed in nothern Metro Manila.
They were Jerry Fulmia, Rodel Manese, Christian Bernardo, Michael Maninang, Jonathan Fernando, Ramero Bantilan, Benjie Jore and Arnie Golong.
The suspects were nabbed in anti-narcotics operations in Caloocan, Malabon and Navotas.
Police said they recovered packs of shabu, a 9mm pistol, a .45-caliber handgun and ammunition from the suspects.
In Pasig City, four persons were rounded up in drug stings.
Garry Vic Manandig, John Victor Niño Martinez and Rouel Martinez were arrested while in the act of sniffing shabu at Block 2 Evangelista Compound in Barangay Palatiw.
Jeric Centeno was collared in another operation along San Agustin street.
Centeno allegedly yielded seven sachets of shabu and P200 in marked money. – Emmanuel Tupas, Non Alquitran, Marc Jayson Cayabyab