3 drug suspects slain in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Three persons allegedly involved in illegal drugs were killed in separate shootings in Manila in the past two days.

Troy Benedict Galang, 24, died after he allegedly traded shots with police during a drug sting at the Manila North Cemetery.

Capt. Henry Navarro, homicide chief of the Manila Police District, said Galang allegedly sold a sachet of shabu to a policeman who posed as a buyer.

Ireneo Ramos, who was on the drug watchlist, was killed by motorcycle-riding gunmen at the corner of Firmeza and Prudencio streets in Sampaloc.

Ramos died at the scene.

Another drug suspect, Leoric Salao, died after he allegedly engaged police in a gunfight along Rizal Avenue.

Navarro said an anti-narcotics agent managed to buy P2,000 worth of shabu from Salao.

In Mandaluyong, a construction worker allegedly included in the drug watchlist of Barangay Addition Hills was killed in a motorcycle drive-by shooting, police said.

Jerick Lucana, 23, was walking in front of a bank in Barangay Hagdan Bato when the assailants fired at him.

In Makati,  police busted an alleged drug den in Barangay Pinagkaisahan with the arrest of five suspects.

Armed with a search warrant, police raided a house along Ensueño street reportedly being used as a drug den.

Brothers Patricio, 63, and Efren Pablo, 66, were nabbed along with Augustus Cesar; Randop Lim, 59; Alicia Medrona, 50, and Ricardo Vergara, 36, were allegedly caught engaged in a pot session.

Police said they confiscated over P7,000 worth of shabu, a loaded .38-caliber handgun and drug paraphernalia.

At least P5 million worth of drugs were confiscated in anti-narcotics operations in Las Piñas, Muntinlupa and Parañaque.