1 dead, 4 arrested in Tondo drug raid

MANILA, Philippines - A 43-year-old man was killed when he reportedly shot it out with Manila policemen during a raid on a suspected drug den in Isla Puting Bato, Tondo, Manila before dawn yesterday.

Anti-drug operatives led by Superintendent Ernesto Tendero Jr., in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, conducted the raid, which resulted in the arrest of Nor Aida Datu Imang, 18; Celine de la Cruz, 21; Joseph Belardo, 39, and Josephine Lopez, 38, who were reportedly involved in the sale and distribution of shabu in Manila.

Police Officer 3 Lito Lopez said while the raiding team was processing the evidence recovered at the house of the suspects, Nor Aida’s father, Abdul Basit Malacaw, suddenly appeared, brandishing a .45 caliber pistol and shot at the lawmen.

SPO1 Gabriel Torres and PO3 Herbert Salazar returned fire and killed Macalaw. The two policemen submitted themselves to paraffin tests while their issued firearms were subjected to ballistic examination.