13 more killed as drug war continues

MANILA, Philippines – Thirteen more persons were added to the list of slain drug suspects in the past two days.

Seven were killed in separate anti-drug operations, four gunned down by unidentified men and two others found dead yesterday and on Monday.

Lourd Anthony de Vera, the most wanted drug personality in Urbiztondo town, and Ricky Poquiz, 36, who was ranked fourth on the drug watchlist of the police in San Carlos, Pangasinan, were shot dead by unidentified men.

Also in Pangasinan, the bodies of two unidentified men with placards identifying them as drug pushers were found in Barangay Maraboc in Laoac town and Barangay Dumpay in Basista.

In Bulacan, Vergel Velleza, Allan Alonto and Randy Castro were killed in alleged shootouts with anti-drug operatives in San Rafael town.

Chief Inspector Greg Guerrero, Ilocos Sur police spokesman, said the region’s top drug suspect Roger Cinco was killed in a shootout with police in Sitio Padual, Barangay Pug-os in Cabugao town.

Marvin Bandoy, 37, reportedly shot it out with police officers serving a warrant for his arrest in  Barangay Sta. Lucia in Dolores, Quezon.

Noel Bisaya and Reynold Fernandez, 47, who were on the watchlist of the Benguet and Baguio police, respectively, were slain by unidentified men.

In Iloilo, Freddie Sumbing, with aliases of John and Lando and Panfilo Artuz, were killed in separate anti-drug operations.

Thousands surrender

Thousands more of suspected drug pushers and self-confessed users have surrendered as police intensify Oplan Tokhang.

Chief Superintendent Aaron Aquino, Central Luzon police acting director, said 26,749 have surrendered in the region since July 1.

At least 8,996 of those who surrendered were from Bulacan; Pampanga, 6,212; Zambales, 2,899; Tarlac, 2,054; Bataan, 1,899 and Aurora, 1,074.

In the Cordilleras, 2,407 drug personalities have surrendered.  Kalinga topped the list with 702, followed by Abra with 588 and Benguet, 491.

As this developed, 10 police officers in the Caraga region, 11 Army soldiers in Isabela and 18 Maguindanao provincial employees tested positive for drug use. They face dismissal from the service as well as criminal and administrative charges.

Village execs

In Camarines Sur, four barangay chairmen, three council members and a former chairman were among the 600 who surrendered on Monday.

Reports reaching the provincial police office showed that the village chiefs who were not identified are  from Barangays Tariric, Manapao, Antipolo and Salingogon in Minalabac town. The former village chief is from Barangay Manapao.

Drug-free

Meanwhile, in Batanes, Senior Superintendent Agustin Tamangen, provincial police director, yesterday urged the regional police office to declare Batanes as drug-free.

In a report, Tamagen said the 12 top drug personalities in the province surrendered from July 6 to 11 while 27 others were arrested  and undergoing trial.

He said a majority of those who surrendered were from  the town of Basco. – Eva Visperas, Ric Sapnu, Michelle Zoleta, Ramon Efren Lazaro, Artemio Dumlao, Cesar Ramirez, Jack Castaño, Jennifer Rendon, Raymund Catindig, John Unson, Ben Serrano