Drug war: 4 suspects killed

MANILA, Philippines — Four suspected drug personalities were killed in separate incidents in Ilocos Norte and General Santos City on Tuesday.

Harold Joy Daquioag, 32, was walking in Barangay 23 in Laoag, Ilocos Norte when an unidentified man shot him several times.

Chief Inspector Dexter Corpuz, Ilocos Norte police spokesman, said Daquioag had just been freed on bail for a drug-related offense.

Aries Sumagbag was at his house in Barangay Canlalay, Biñan, Laguna when a man entered and opened fire.

Sumagbag died at the scene. His companion, Cristy Barbon, was wounded and remained confined in a hospital.

Police said the fatalities yielded several drug paraphernalia.

Ruel Magaway, an employee of the Bureau of Customs, and his companion Antonio Villaplana allegedly fired at police officers who tried to arrest them in Barangay Buluan, General Santos City.

Chief Superintendent Marcelo Morales, Soccsksargen police director, said police launched the operation after they received reports the Magaway and Villaplana were involved in large-scale drug trafficking.

Pastor, 3 others slain

In Pangasinan, Bernabe Yanong, 42, a community pastor, who worked as a cell phone technician, and his wife Liza, 48, were walking in Barangay Poblacion in Urdaneta also on Tuesday when he was shot by motorcycle-riding men. 

Yanong died while being treated at the Urdaneta Sacred Heart Hospital. His wife was unhurt.

Village chief Joaquin Segumban and his security aide Joey Gamutia, 57, were killed in an ambush in Barangay Tonganon, Carmen, North Cotabato.

The victims were on their way home from the municipal hall when they were waylaid.

Rolando Nuguid was shot by motorcycle-riding men in Barangay Langgam, San Pedro, Laguna at around 7:40 p.m. also on Tuesday.

Leonida Reyes, 67, was in her backyard in Barangay Baculud in Cauayan, Isabela when she was shot.

In Quirino, the body of a woman whose head was covered with packing tape was dumped along the road in Barangay Villa Ventura, Aglipay. 

Police have yet to determine the motives for the killings. – With Raymund Catindig, Eva Visperas, Ed Amoroso