14 drug suspects killed in shootings

MANILA, Philippines - Fourteen more drug suspects, including another barangay captain and a policeman, were shot dead in the past two days.

Von Martinez Sr., alias Dodoy, 47; his son Von Jr., 20, and Chiquito Bato, 42, drew their guns when they sensed they had sold shabu to undercover agents in Barangay San Isidro, Cainta, Rizal on Thursday, said Superintendent Fortuno Petalio ll, Cainta police chief.

Petalio said a running gun battle ended in Sitio Baybay Sapa, Barangay Mayamot, Antipolo City. He said the fatalities yielded three guns, ammunition and a coin purse containing seven sachets of shabu.

Police Officer 3 Christopher Labay Valdeavilla was shot by  motorcycle-riding men in Barangay San Juan,  Cainta, Rizal at about 10:15 a.m. yesterday. Police said the fatality was a “high-value” drug pusher.

Flordeliza Lara, chairwoman of Barangay 37A Caridad, Cavite City, was tending her store when two men approached and shot her several times on Thursday afternoon. The fatality was another high-value drug suspect.

Ariel Osorio allegedly shot it out with anti-drug operatives in Barangay Wawa III also in Cavite City.

In Isabela, unidentified men in a sport utility vehicle shot Roque Uy, 45; Romeo Pascual, 46, and Edelyn Tumanan, alias Bunso, in Barangay Catabban, Burgos; Centro 1, Mallig, and Bantug, Roxas, respectively, yesterday. Tumanan’s companion Florentino Mercado Jr. was critically wounded and taken to the Governor Faustino Dy Sr. Memorial Hospital.

Police records show the fatalities surrendered under Oplan Tokhang last year.

Alexander Tangalin, 27, was found dead in a rice field in Sitio Kapayakan, Barangay Cebu, San Isidro also in Isabela on Thursday. A sachet of shabu was allegedly found in his pocket.

In Bulacan, Rommel Parulan and Apollo Marco Capulong were killed in stings in Barangay Turo, Bocaue and Malolos, respectively.

A certain Jake reportedly resisted arrest and fired at anti- drug operatives in Barangay Sagpon, Daraga, Albay on Thursday.

Tricycle driver Joseph Bahandi, 30, was found hogtied with his face wrapped in packing tape near a drainage in Barangay Buhang, Molo district, Jaro, Iloilo yesterday morning. Police said 11 sachets of shabu were found in the pocket of the victim.