No break in drug war: 21 suspects held

MANILA, Philippines — Despite the observance of Lent, police continued the war on drugs that resulted in the arrest of 21 suspects in Metro Manila yesterday.

In Quezon City, suspected drug dealer Elaye Belga, 25, of Tondo, Manila, was wounded after he allegedly engaged police in a firefight.

Brig. Gen. Joselito Esquivel Jr., director of the Quezon City Police District, said they conducted a sting on Belga after receiving information that he was allegedly pushing drugs in Barangay Sta. Teresita.

When the suspect sensed that he was dealing with police, Belga allegedly opened fire, prompting lawmen to retaliate.

Belga was taken to the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center for treatment of gunshots to the body.

Police said they recovered a 9mm pistol, seven sachets of shabu and a motorcycle from the suspect.

In Marikina City, 12 persons were apprehended in separate stings.

They were Jonel Avila, 25; Jocelyn Minalabang, 48; Mary GracePinol, 31; Mitulicop Pundanma, 45; Maid Pacasirang, 26; Junaid Dibarosan, 31; Mark Molejon, 33; Armin Ingco, 35; Arnel Ingco, 39; Aldrin Ingco, 35; Adrian Ingco, 23, and Amelia Yambao, 32.

Eastern Police District director Brig. Gen. Christopher Tambungan said the suspects were nabbed in successive operations in Barangay Tumana.

 Probers said 14 sachets of shabu were recovered from the suspects.

In Malabon, eight drug suspects were collared for allegedly smoking vape with marijuana oil.

Felix Peloton, Jose Peña, John Rupert Gonzales, Michael Angelo Conzon, Jasper John Sonido, Jhossan Venni Sanchez, Christian Cruz and Zeus Jino Ong were arrested at a house along Rivera street in Barangay Tañong.

Peloton and Peña allegedly sold a sachet of kush, a high-grade form of marijuana, to a policeman who posed as a buyer.

City police chief Col. Jessie Tamayao said 23 empty vape cartridges with traces of marijuana were confiscated from the suspects.

Police said they confiscated from the suspects an estimated P100,000 worth of kush and marijuana. – Marc Jayson Cayabyab