Drug suspect slain, 21 others nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — A drug suspect died in an encounter with police in Pasay City yesterday while 21 others were arrested in separate operations in the metropolis.

Aries Lumanlan, 21, allegedly pulled out a .38-caliber handgun and fired at policemen who raided his house along Saint Cecille street in Barangay 179, Southern Police District director Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said. 

Police shot dead Lumanlan after a scuffle ensued between him and Police Officer 3 Carlo Sison, according to Apolinario. 

Lumanlan was taken to Pasay City General Hospital where he was declared dead from gunshots to the chest and thigh. 

Probers said they recovered the suspect’s gun with five bullets, two sachets of shabu worth P6,000 and drug paraphernalia. 

Prior to the operation, police said they received information that Lumanlan’s house was being used as an allleged drug den. 

In Quezon City, 13 drug suspects were arrested by police in separate anti-narcotics operations.

Four of the suspects were collared in a sting in Barangay Pasong Putik at around 3 a.m. yesterday, Quezon City Police District director Chief Superintendent Joselito Esquivel Jr. said.

The suspects were Fernando Fernandez, 40; Rome Matilla, 43; Jerome Jimenez, 29,  and Joselito Bunuan, 31.

They allegedly sold shabu to a police officer who posed as a buyer.

Police said they recovered from the suspects six sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Ten drug suspects were nabbed in Barangay Sta. Lucia.

Authorities said some of the suspects were Vincent Casindad, 31; his partner Ellen Charish Tapia, 29, and Joel Gurubat, 31.

The three allegedly yielded five sachets of shabu.

Francisco Pajorala, 67, was arrested by police for allegedly maintaining a drug den in Barangay Botocan.

Adrian Bravante, 28; Albert Cone, 42, Wilmar Macalos and John Hordonez, 52, were taken into police custody after they were allegedly caught sniffing shabu at Pajorala’s house.

Police nabbed Albert de la Cruz, 27, for allegedly smoking marijuana in front of a hotel in Barangay Bago-Bantay.

In eastern Metro Manila, eight persons were apprehended for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

They were Odon Mercalisia Jr., Jerald Palaming, Ruby Rose Tolentino, Jacqueline de Guzman, Rowel Orantes, Jun Taronan, Tanalyn Corpuz and Romeo del Mundo.

The suspects were arrested in separate stings in Mandaluyong, Pasig and Marikina.

 Police said they confiscated from the suspects packs of shabu and the marked money. – Emmanuel Tupas, Non Alquitran