3 drug pushers killed in alleged shootouts

 MANILA, Philippines - Three suspected drug pushers were killed in separate encounters with Manila policemen Thursday night and yesterday morning.

Hector Causen, 35, a resident of Mabuhay street in Tondo, and his alleged cohort, Joey Fernandez, 28, were killed in a purported gunfight with policemen who tried to arrest them. The two, who were riding on a motorcycle, tried to escape when pulled over at a checkpoint.

In another incident, a suspected drug pusher was killed while a policeman was wounded in a shootout before dawn yesterday.

Richard Feliciardo, 28, of 1323 Interior 14 Quiricada street in Tondo, was shot the head.

PO2 Jhenero Bautista, was shot in the buttocks and confined at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

Sta. Cruz police station chief Superintendent James Afalla said Feliciardo and his live-in partner Jeanne Lorraine Anire were riding a tricycle when it was flagged down by a team led by Inspector Romeo Gardoce.

As they were being brought to a police outpost for further investigation, Anire allegedly pulled out a handgun and handed it to Feliciardo, resulting in a scuffle between the suspect and the policemen. 

Bautista was shot as Feliciardo fired at responding policemen.– Sandy Araneta, Nestor Etolle