MANILA, Philippines – Ten people, including a former policeman, believed to be involved in illegal drug deals were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila since Tuesday night.
Ericxander Gray, a former member of the National Capital Region Police Office, and one alias Joseph were killed in an alleged shootout following a drug sting at a shanty in Barangay Payatas B, Quezon City yesterday.
Gray was also previously assigned with the Batasan police station anti-illegal drug unit and the District Public Safety Battalion.
Gray reportedly fired at police officers with his Glock 9mm pistol, prompting police to return fire, according to Quezon City Police District (QCPD) director Senior Superintendent Guillermo Eleazar.
Gray and Joseph, described by police as a pusher who had gone big time, were rushed to the East Avenue Medical Center where they were declared dead on arrival.
Police said they recovered a 9mm pistol, a .38-caliber revolver, an undetermined amount of shabu and P2,000 in marked money from the two.
Superintendent Lito Patay, Batasan police station commander, said several suspects were collared during a raid on six drug dens at the Payatas dump.
For as low as P150, the suspects could take hits of shabu in makeshift tents in the area, police said.
One of the drug dens was reportedly operated by Gray.
Three more drug suspects were killed in Manila.
Edison Molina, 38, and Mark Angelo Noromo were shot dead after they allegedly grabbed the gun of one of their police escorts on their way to the Tondo Medical Center for medical examination.
Police said they were traveling along Road 10 in a patrol car when Molina and Noromo took the gun of a police officer, resulting in a scuffle.
Senior Inspector Monico Aliado, Smokey Mountain police community precinct commander, said they recovered two sachets of shabu from Molina and Noromo.
Benjamin Visda, an alleged drug pusher, was killed after he reportedly shot it out with members of the Manila Police District Station 1 following his arrest.
Visda allegedly yielded a coin purse with six packets of shabu.
Suspected drug pusher Rogelio Cruz was shot dead by unidentified assailants at his house in Pasig City, police said.
Cruz died at the scene from gunshots to the head and body.
Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said Cruz was on the drug watchlist of Barangay Rosario.
Witnesses told police that two men broke into the house of Cruz and shot him at around 7:30 p.m.
Angelo Bondoc, 20, said to be a drug pusher, was killed while watching a basketball game in Mandaluyong City shortly after midnight yesterday.
Police said Bondoc was on the drug watchlist of Barangay Addition Hills.
Reports said Bondoc was watching a basketball game at Welfareville compound in Barangay Addition Hills when two men arrived and opened fire at him at 12:05 a.m.
The assailants escaped on a motorcycle.
Bondoc died while being treated at the Mandaluyong City Medical Center.
In Caloocan City, drug suspect Jury Jana was killed after he allegedly fired at anti-narcotics operatives during a sting in Barangay 120 shortly after midnight yesterday.
The body of Lourdes dela Rosa, believed to be a drug pusher, was found at the corner of San Mateo and Pasig streets in Maypajo, according to police.
Probers said they recovered two sachets of shabu from Dela Rosa.
Another drug suspect, Raffy Macapagal, was killed in an alleged shootout with members of the Navotas police anti-illegal drug unit.
Police said they recovered a .45-caliber revolver, four sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia from Macapagal.
Authorities arrested five drug suspects John Paul Guiling, El Melchor Bornea, Reynaldo Carabio, Rosy Barba and Renejie de Leon during the operation. – Romina Cabrera, Non Alquitran, Ghio Ong