MANILA, Philippines — Two suspected drug pushers were killed after they allegedly engaged police in a firefight at a public cemetery in Pasay City on Tuesday night.
Barangay watchman Feliciano Millos Jr. and Virgilio Villablanca, of Muñoz, Quezon City, died at the scene from multiple gunshots to the body.
Prior to the shootout, an informant tipped off roving policemen that Millos and Villablanca were allegedly engaged in a shabu session at a shanty in the cemetery at the corner of Aurora Boulevard and Sgt. Mariano street at past 9 p.m.
Authorites were approaching the area when the suspects allegedly opened fire, prompting police to retaliate.
Police said they recovered three sachets of shabu, drug paraphernalia, a loaded .22-caliber handgun, a .45-caliber firearm and a 9mm pistol at the scene.
Millos had been under police surveillance for allegedly pushing drugs, according to Gregorio Valdez Jr., executive officer of Barangay 148.
In Quezon City, four construction workers were apprehended during an anti-narcotics operation under the Kamuning footbridge along NIA Road in Barangay Pinyahan.
They were Janjan Rasonable, 26; Lolito Lacang, 38; Joseph Baldia, 27, and Jonard Jagon, 23. Their relatives denied that the suspects were involved in drugs.
Sixteen other drug suspects were nabbed by police in Barangays Greater Fairview, Bagong Silangan, Payatas A, Socorro, Pansol and Tatalon.
In Taguig, police said they seized P680,000 worth of shabu from drug suspects John David Manaog, 34, and Datu Silungan, 19. - Romina Cabrera