2 dead in drug sting, 32 nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected drug pushers died in an alleged shootout with police during a drug sting in Manila before dawn yesterday.

The fatalities, known only as alias Darwin and Oscar, died at the scene from gunshots to the body.

Members of the Manila Police District Station 11 drug enforcement unit led by Senior Inspector Juel Panganiban hatched the sting against the suspects after they received information that they were allegedly pushing drugs.

Police said Darwin and Oscar were on the drug watchlist.

Police Officer 1 Allan Hilario, who posed as a buyer, said he was able to transact with Darwin along San Miguel Road in Binondo at around 1:20 a.m.

When Darwin sensed that he was dealing with police, he and his cohort opened fire, prompting authorities to retaliate.

Probers said they recovered three sachets of shabu from the suspects.

More drug arrests

At least 32 people believed to be involved in drugs were arrested in separate operations in Metro Manila in the past two days.

In Manila, 14 drug suspects were apprehended by police.

Anti-narcotics officers responded to a call that a pot session was ongoing at a house along Sampaloc street in Tondo where they collared 10 people on Saturday night.

They were Remedios Celis, 48; Jorge Ocario, 39; Joedel Mendoza, 37; Rene Aguirre, 40; Romy Alquiza, 44; Ernesto Sembrano, 61; Gelmar Sol, 43; Richard Astor, 28; Paul Aga Torcolas, 22, and Crisanto de Guzman, 20.

 The suspects allegedly yielded six packs of shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Another drug suspect, Alejandro Rubio, 30, was nabbed by members of the Gagalangin police community precinct at the corner of Hermosa and Adriano streets in Barangay 182 in Tondo.

Policemen on routine patrol caught three men allegedly in the act of smoking marijuana at a house at the Parola Compound. They were Joshua Bonilla, 22; Romar Pomarejos, 22, and Jomari Mutia, 25.

In Pasig City, 10 people were collared during a raid on a supposed drug den.

Arrested were Romar Canapi, Jember Bagayo, Ricky Biclar, Leonardo Daleja, Joseph Enoc, Efren Obias, Joseph Misa, Lhister Redulla, Renato Estrella and Angelito Cagbabanwa.

Pasig police chief Senior Superintendent Orlando Yebra Jr. said charges of possession of illegal drugs would be filed against the suspects before the city prosecutor’s office.

Police and barangay officials were conducting anti-crime operations along Eastbank Road in Barangay Sta. Lucia when they chanced upon the suspects sniffing shabu at a nipa hut near a creek.

Probers said they confiscated 10 sachets of shabu, four bladed weapons, two improvised handguns and drug paraphernalia from the suspects.

Yebra said they were verifying if the suspects were also involved in other crimes.

Eight more drug suspects were arrested in southern Metro Manila.

They were Abner Bunyi, 43; Rhea Canillo, 25; Anthony Ramos, 27; Junard Berondo, 21; Ruel Barrientos, 19; Rommel de la Cruz, 37; Enrico Cabal, 43, and a minor.

The suspects were collared in separate anti-narcotics operations in Makati, Muntinlupa and Las Piñas.

The suspects are being held by police on charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act. – Non Alquitran, Ghio Ong