MANILA, Philippines — A 21-year-old drug suspect died while in custody of the Quezon City Police District on Friday.
Probers said Hanson Cruz died while being treated at the East Avenue Medical Center.
Investigation showed that Cruz was rushed to the hospital after he complained of shortness of breath in his detention cell at the Kamuning police station.
Lt. Col. Benjie Tremor, commander of the Kamuning police station, said there was no foul play in Cruz’s death.
Tremor said attending physicians confirmed that Cruz died of tuberculosis and trauma due to drug use.
Police said Cruz’s family signed a waiver, indicating that they are not interested in any investigation.
Probers said Cruz bore no external injuries during cursory examination.
The suspect was arrested on drug charges on April 10.
In Sta. Cruz, Manila, five persons were apprehended in separate drug stings in the past two days.
Anti-narcotics officers of the Manila Police District Station 11 collared Ernesto dela Peña, 51; Rouel Roxas, 44, and Darwin Relado, 40, at the corner of F. Torres and Katubusan streets.
Police said the suspects were initially accosted for illegal gambling. When frisked, the suspects allegedly yielded drugs.
Sandra Lomabao, 36, and Raymond Bitangqor, 25, were nabbed after they allegedly sold 20 sachets of shabu to a policeman at the corner of C.M. Recto and Rizal Avenues.
In Caloocan City, a drug pusher was arrested after he sold shabu to a police officer who posed as a buyer.
The suspect’s identity was not immediately available.
Five persons were apprehended for alleged drug possession in Mandaluyong and Pasig.
They were Angelito Dizon, 28; Jhoan Raposas, 22; Alvin Concepcion, 48; Mark John Sandoval, 44, and Clady Ruiz, 21.
In southern Metro Manila, police said they recovered shabu, guns and ammunition from three suspected drug pushers.
Arthur Castro, 41, and his partner Susan Escalante, 39, reportedly yielded 27 packs of shabu during a sting at their house along E. Rodriguez street in Pasay.
In Parañaque, Angelo Cruz, 34, who was on the drug watchlist, was nabbed in Barangay San Dionisio.
Police said they seized four sachets of shabu, a .38-caliber handgun and bullets from Cruz.– Rey Galupo, Non Alquitran, Ghio Ong