3 drug suspects slain in Pasay, Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Three persons believed to be involved in illegal drugs were killed by police in separate operations in Metro Manila over the weekend.

In Pasay, two drug suspects were killed in stings on Saturday night.

Police identified the fatalities as Salvador Evangelista Jr. and Arnel Padil.

Evangelista died after he allegedly engaged police in a firefight in front of his house along Apelo Cruz street in Barangay 157, Zone 16.

When the suspect sensed that he was dealing with police, he allegedly fired at Police Officers 1 James Paul Callo and Jay-R Orquino who retaliated.

Probers said they recovered a sachet of shabu and a .38-caliber handgun from Evangelista.

Padil, who was on the drug watclist, was killed in another anti-narcotics operation in Barangay 201, Zone 20.

In Quezon City,  a drug suspect was shot dead in an alleged encounter with police in Barangay Unang Sigaw yesterday.

The man, who has yet to be identified, was declared dead on arrival at the Quezon City General Hospital.

Police said they recovered a .45-caliber handgun and 13 sachets of shabu from the suspects.

More drug arrests

At least 16 drug suspects were nabbed in separate operations in Barangays San Antonio, Sta. Lucia, Payatas, Manresa, Sta. Monica, Pinyahan and Loyola Heights in Quezon City.

In Marikina, four persons were apprehended for alleged possession of illegal drugs.

They were Marco Antonio Pamatmat, 51; John Ryan Paganpan, alias Yanyan, 25; Joselito de Guzman, 38, and Restyfer Mesda, 36.

Senior Superintendent Roger Quesada, Marikina police chief, said they conducted an operation against the suspects after receiving information that they were allegedly pushing drugs in the area.

Pamatmat allegedly yielded six sachets of shabu and P500 in marked money.

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