14 drug suspects killed

MANILA, Philippines – At least 14 suspected drug personalities, including a former barangay watchman, were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila in the past two days.

Rogelio Zapanta, alias Ogie, 39, a former watchman of Barangay Barangka Ibaba in Mandaluyong City, was walking along Hinahon street when an unidentified man fired at him on Monday night.

Zapanta died at the scene from multiple gunshots to the body, police said.

City police chief Senior Superintendent Joaquin Alva said Zapanta was on the drug watchlist of Mandaluyong.

Two more drug suspects – Jonathan Castaño and Cris Magno – were killed by unknown assailants.

Castaño, listed as No. 1 drug personality of Barangay Tibagan in San Juan City, was walking in Barangay Plainview when he was gunned down.

Police described Castaño as a known drug peddler and user in San Juan.

He recently tested positive for drug use, Alva said.

Magno was shot dead by a man on a motorcycle along Acacia Lane in Barangay Addition Hills at dawn yesterday.

Magno was rushed to the Mandaluyong City Medical Center where he was declared dead on arrival.

In Quezon City, four drug suspects were killed and four others were arrested following a sting along Hona street in Barangay Pag-asa.

Ricardo Mamaril was shot dead along with Mark Charlie Angalias, 21, Jeff Kenneth Firmarino and Rey Dulin after they allegedly traded shots with police.

Investigation showed that police managed to buy P500 worth of shabu from Mamaril prior the shootout.

Authorities said Mamaril allegedly used his house as a drug den.

Jessica Mae Cabigaw, 20; Krista Melody Erediano, 26; Mario Gumiran, 53, and a minor were apprehended in the operation, according to Superintendent Igmedio Bernaldez, Masambong police station commander.

Police said they recovered from the suspects 22 sachets of shabu with an estimated street value of P30,000, drug paraphernalia, two . 45-caliber pistols, two .38-caliber revolvers and the marked money.

Two alleged drug pushers were killed by police in separate operations in Pasig City.

Bernard Bongsilao died after he reportedly shot it out with Police Officer 2 Randy Sanoy, who posed as a buyer of shabu.

Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said Bongsilao yielded a .45-caliber pistol, eight sachets of shabu and P300 in marked money.

Sapitula said Bongsilao was on the list of drug personalities in Barangay Sta. Lucia.

Ryan Valencia, 37, was waiting for his girlfriend when four men opened fire at him along Asuncion street in Barangay San Miguel.

Police described Valencia as a known drug pusher in the area.

He died while being taken to the hospital.

Four more drug suspects were killed in separate police operations in Caloocan and Navotas cities.

Rodel de la Cruz, a certain Robert Putol, and another man were killed in a reported shootout with members of the Police Community Precinct 1 during a sting at the corner of Zapote and Tandang Sora streets in Barangay 140.

Ronald Kalaw died after he allegedly engaged police in a firefight at his house along Bagong Silang street in Navotas.

Police said they recovered a .38-caliber revolver and three sachets of shabu from Kalaw.

A suspected drug personality was killed by two men on a motorcycle in front of a post office in Parañaque City.

City police chief Senior Police Superintendent Jose Carumba identified the fatality as Raymundo Ferrer 34.