Drug suspect slain, 54 nabbed in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged drug pusher was killed and at least 54 others were arrested in anti-drug operations in Metro Manila since Wednesday.

In Makati, Rolando Abundo, alias Bagyo, allegedly shot at police officers sent to serve him a warrant, issued by Judge Cecilyn Burgos-Villavert, to search his house on Taylo street in Barangay Pio del Pilar at around 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Abundo, who died at the scene, was the subject of a case operation plan by the Southern Police District (SPD) for drug pushing and contract killing since 2016, according to Director Guillermo Eleazar, National Capital Region Police Office chief.

Abundo also had a pending murder case and an arrest warrant for physical injury before the Makati regional trial court.

Abundo reportedly was “the source of illegal drugs in Makati, Pasay and neighboring areas. He was also involved in gun-for-hire activities in Cavite province,” Eleazar said in an interview.

Two others, Susan Ramos and Zea Xtrille Ramos, are being treated for gunshot wounds at the Pasay City General Hospital, according to Senior Superintendent Rogelio Simon, city police chief.

Police arrested Rixon Pantoja, Zyvastian Ramos, Danilo Dy, Roy Protacio, Leonel Lumberio and Mark Greg Lajoy, who were found in Abundo’s house. They were accused of being runners, couriers and lookouts for Abundo.

Police seized 500 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, with a street value of P3.4 million as well as an M16 Armalite rifle, a .22 caliber rifle with 100 bullets, a homemade rifle grenade launcher, a Glock .40 caliber pistol, three .38 caliber revolvers­, a fragmentation grenade, 22 40mm grenade launcher ammunition, three 7.6 caliber magazines with 90 bullets and 75 5.56 caliber rounds, said Chief Superintendent Eliseo Cruz, SPD director.

Simon said different police districts in Metro Manila have been monitoring Abundo’s drug deals.

Cruz said police also confiscated an undetermined amount of cash, believed to be the proceeds of Abundo’s drug activities.

The SPD chief hopes that the neutralization of Abundo and his group would decrease the supply of shabu in southern Metro Manila and stop contract killings, especially with the midterm elections approaching.

Drug and gun charges were filed against the arrested suspects.

Police also arrested 25 persons for drug-related offenses in Quezon City; 12 in Caloocan; three each in Marikina and Mandaluyong; two in Pasig and one in Parañaque. – With Emmanuel Tupas, Marc Jayson Cayabyab