2 drug suspects slain in Caloocan, Valenzuela

MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected drug pushers were killed in separate police operations in Caloocan and Valenzuela City yesterday.

Police identified the fatalities as Dave Valerio and Bonifacio Manalo.

Valerio died after he allegedly fired at Police Officer 1 Don Casasay during a sting along Mercedes delos Reyes street in Barangay 74, according to Caloocan police chief Senior Superintendent Restituto Arcangel.

Valerio was allegedly pushing drugs in the area and was also involved in a series of robberies.

Police said they recovered a loaded .38-caliber handgun and a sachet of shabu from the suspect.

Manalo was shot dead after he allegedly engaged police in a firefight in Barangay Gen. T. de Leon in Valenzuela.

Prior to this, Manalo allegedly sold shabu to Police Officer 1 Maverick Jake Perez who posed as a buyer.

When he sensed that he was dealing with police, Manalo opened fire, prompting Perez to retaliate.

Manalo was pronounced dead on arrival at the Valenzuela Medical Center.

Police said they confiscated 16 sachets of shabu and a gun from the suspect.

In eastern Metro Manila, four persons were arrested for alleged drug possession in the past two days.

They were Melvin Gregorio, James Kevin Abejuela, Mark Jayson Santos and Rolando Samaniego.

The suspects were collared in drug stings in Marikina and Pasig City.

They allegedly yielded shabu and dried marijuana leaves. – Non Alquitran