Drug gang chief slain in Taguig shootout

MANILA, Philippines — A man accused of leading a gang engaged in drug trafficking and contract killing was killed in an alleged shootout in Taguig City yesterday.

Jaime Sangki, alias Mohamen Sangki, reportedly shot at police officers who served him a search warrant at a house on Roldan street in Barangay New Lower Bicutan at around 1:30 p.m. yesterday.

The warrant was issued by Judge Antonio Olivente of the Taguig City regional trial court.

Sangki was listed as a high-value target in the illegal drug trade by the Taguig police, said Director Guillermo Eleazar,  National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief.

Sangki’s gang operates in southern Metro Manila, Eleazar added.

NCRPO operatives arrested Sangki’s alleged accomplices Abdulsalam Sailila, Abdul Lumenda, Ali Carangayan, Adhil Akol and Amad Sangki in a subsequent operation.

A total of 120 grams of methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu, with a street value of P876,000, a .45 caliber pistol and P5,000 cash were seized from Sangki and the other suspects.

The arrested suspects are being held in the NCRPO’s Regional Drug Enforcement Unit jail at Camp Bagong Diwa.

Also in Taguig, drug suspect Jun Macalilay was shot dead in another alleged shootout in Barangay Maharlika on Wednesday afternoon.

Macalilay allegedly shot at police officers who arrested his companion Jovani Perelio, said Senior Superintendent Alexander Santos, Taguig police chief.

Santos said officers spotted Macalilay shortly after arresting Perelio in an anti-drug operation and chased Macalilay until they cornered him. 

Police are investigating the connections of Macalilay, reported to be one of the drug suppliers in the area, Santos said. – Robertzon Ramirez