Drug war: 1 dead, 4 minors nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — An alleged drug pusher was killed and four minors were arrested in separate operations in Metro Manila yesterday.

The alleged pusher, identified only as August, allegedly shot at lawmen during a sting in Barangay West Rembo, Makati City. He died at the scene, according to Chief Inspector Gideon Ines, deputy city police chief.

Ten sachets said to contain methamphetamine hydrochloride or shabu and a .38 caliber revolver were recovered at the scene, Ines added.

 Police alleged that August was connected to a group led by Norman Manite, whose members conduct drug deals in Makati and Taguig.

In Quezon City, three minors were arrested for smoking marijuana at past midnight yesterday.

The minors, aged 16 and 17, were caught along Quirino Highway in Barangay Bagbag and yielded two sachets of marijuana, three glass tooters and a disposable lighter, police said.

Another minor was arrested along with Joyme Valenzuela, 28, and Julie Viernes, 27, in a drug bust along Calavite street in Barangay Salvacion.

Five sachets of suspected shabu and marked money were recovered during the sting. 

The minors were turned over to the city’s social services and development department.

In Valenzuela City, Ariel Alberto, who graduated from a community-based drug rehabilitation program last year, was arrested for illegal possession of firearms and ammunition on Friday.

Police served a search warrant on Alberto and seized nine firearms, an air pistol replica and 492 bullets at his house in Barangay Maysan.

The warrant was issued by Valenzuela Regional Trial Court Executive Judge Maria Nena Santos. – Romina Cabrera, Marc Jayson Cayabyab