7 drug suspects killed

MANILA, Philippines – At least seven drug suspects were killed in various parts of Metro Manila since Thursday night.

In San Juan City, an alleged drug den operator was shot dead by two armed men who barged into his house at around 2 a.m.

Ronaldo Gunda died at the scene from two gunshots to the head.

He allegedly rented a room of his house on F. Manalo street in Barangay Batis to drug users.

Gunda was listed in the barangay’s watchlist of drug personalities, said Senior Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District.

The assailants fled, leaving behind three persons who were using shabu in Gunda’s house, police said.

Sapitula ordered the San Juan police to investigate Gunda’s death as he vowed not to allow vigilantes to operate in eastern Metro Manila. 

In Las Piñas, police officers killed two alleged drug pushers who were riding a motorcycle at around 3 a.m.

One of the suspects was identified as Joven Dabu, 27, while the other man remained unidentified, said city police chief Senior Superintendent Jemar Modequillo.

The two suspects sped past a police checkpoint on Naga Road and the back rider shot at the police officers, who gave chase.

Upon reaching C-5 Road, the police officers reportedly engaged the suspects in a shootout, killing them.

A .38 caliber revolver, a .45 caliber pistol, six sachets of shabu and strips of aluminum foil were recovered from the suspects.

Questioned

In Navotas, an operation led by city police chief Senior Superintendent Dante Novicio turned bloody after Marcelo Garganta, 50, reportedly engaged the lawmen in a shootout when they entered his house in Barangay North Bay Boulevard South at around 1 a.m.

Garganta’s relatives said he did not fight and the police officers shot him as soon as they barged into his house.

Novicio said the operation was legitimate and the relatives were not in the house when the incident happened.

In Caloocan, an unidentified man shot Christine Joy Predilla, 39, in her house on Natividad street in Barangay Deparo at around 1 a.m.

Less than two hours later, an unidentified man was shot several blocks from Natividad street.

Senior Inspector Ilustre Mendoza, city police chief investigator, said both victims were suspected drug pushers.

In Manila, suspected drug peddler Daniel Redota, 42, was shot dead after he reportedly drew his gun during a transaction with an undercover policeman shortly before 11 p.m. Thursday. – Non Alquitran, Perseus Echeminada, Rey Galupo