War on drugs: 9 more killed, 47 arrested

MANILA, Philippines - Nine alleged drug pushers and users were killed and 47 others surrendered in separate police operations in various parts of Metro Manila over the weekend.

In Makati City, unidentified men on a motorcycle shot dead Warley Tante along Guadalupe Viejo on Saturday night.

Barangay officials claimed that Tante was a drug pusher and a robber operating in the area.

After a few minutes, another suspected drug pusher, Raffy Macaraeg, was killed at the corner of J.P. Rizal and Tajajo streets in Barangay Olympia, also in Makati.

In Muntinlupa, police said the body of Rody Salduha, 50, said to be an ex-convict and drug pusher, was found by his relatives peppered with bullets.

Investigators said a cardboard sign with the words “huwag ako tularan, pusher ako ng droga” was placed on his chest.

In Pasay City, two alleged drug pushers were gunned down after they allegedly traded shots with police in separate stings along Airport Road and Malibay street.

Killed were a certain Tirsa and one alias Pitoy.

Police said Tirsa’s two cohorts managed to escape.

Authorities recovered from Pitoy several sachets of shabu and a .38-caliber pistol.

In Manila, two alleged drug pushers were killed in separate police operations yesterday.

Rommel Navarro was shot dead after he reportedly tried to fight off police officers who were about to arrest him in Tondo.

He died from a gunshot wound in the back.

Police said they placed Navarro under surveillance after receiving information that he was peddling drugs in the area.

PO1 Michael Betco posed as a buyer and managed to close a drug deal with Navarro.

Betco arrested Navarro shortly after he reportedly handed over a sachet of shabu to the lawman. But the suspect allegedly resisted arrest, prompting Betco to shoot him.

Another suspected drug pusher, Marvin Samonte, a member of the Commando gang, was killed after he reportedly fired at a group of policemen out to arrest him in Pier 2, North Harbor.

PO3 Jorlan Taluban said members of the Manila Police District (MPD) Anti-Illegal Drug Unit were conducting surveillance in the area when they spotted Samonte.

Taluban said Samonte shot the police officers as he tried to escape, prompting lawmen to shoot him.

Police said they recovered a .45-caliber pistol, sachets of shabu and dried marijuana from Samonte.

Bodies found

Meanwhile, the bodies of two men, believed to be victims of summary execution, were found in separate places in Manila yesterday.

Police have yet to identify the fatalities.

The first victim was discovered along a sidewalk on Ler-ma street, Sampaloc at around 1:40 a.m.

The victim bore five stab wounds in the chest. His mouth was gagged with a piece of cloth and his face wrapped in packing tape, according to Police Officer 3 Dennis Turla of the MPD homicide division.

Turla said the victim was a member of the Bahala na Gang.

Police found beside the victim a piece of paper with the words, “I’m a chronic robber and pusher. Change your ways.”

Prior to this, a man was found dead with a gunshot to the head at the corner of Claro M. Recto Avenue and Elcano street in Binondo.

 Witnesses told police that the victim was shot by two men on a motorcycle.

47 drug suspects give up

More than 40 suspected drug users turned themselves in to the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Kamuning police station commander Superintendent Tesnado Sanchez said 37 alleged drug pushers and users surrendered after they visited 10 homes in Barangays Sacred Heart and Paligsahan.

Ten more alleged drug users surrendered to authorities in Barangays Santol and Tatalon, according to Galas police station commander Superintendent Christian de la Cruz.

Those who surrendered promised to mend their ways and not use illegal drugs again, De la Cruz said.

More arrests

In another police operation, De la Cruz said seven suspected drug users were arrested in Cubao and Barangays Tatalon, Silangan and Masambong.

They are being held at the QCPD detention cell on drug charges, PO1 Michael Gragasin said.