Ex-barangay chief in Duterte’s drug list dies in custody

MANILA, Philippines — A former barangay chairman in Ilocos Sur who was included in President Duterte’s drug watchlist died while in the custody of the Caloocan City police on Tuesday.

Renato Tengsico, alias Atong, 72, suffered a heart attack and died while being taken to the hospital, city police chief Senior Superintendent Restituto Arcangel said.

Tengsico was arrested by anti-narcotics operatives last week in Barangay 171 in Bagumbong, Caloocan where he has been hiding since 2014.

Police said they recovered five grams of shabu worth P20,000 from Tengsico.

The suspect was the alleged leader of the Tengsico-Cabreros drug ring, said to be responsible for the distribution of drugs in the second district of Ilocos Sur.

Tengsico, former chairman of Barangay Poblacion Norte, was sentenced to life in prison by Ilocos Sur Regional Trial Court Judge Sixto Diompoc for drug trafficking.

More drug suspects fall

Meanwhile in Parañaque City, eight drug suspects, including a couple, were apprehended in separate stings yesterday.

They were Carmel Quisto, 44, and his wife Rodora, 40; Cristina Cabides, 41; Arnold Rosalejos, 29; Elizabeth Rosales, 45; Richard Borines, 39; Dennis Morrow, 47, and Hernane Desamparado, 30. 

In Quezon City, police collared two men for alleged possession of a kilo of marijuana worth P116,000 along Quirino Highway in Barangay Bagbag.

Seven other drug suspects were nabbed in Barangays  San Bartolome, Sta. Cruz, Socorro and Tatalon. 

In Caloocan, the body of an unidentified man believed to be involved in drugs was dumped along Libis Road. – Ghio Ong, Romina Cabrera