Teen, 9 others slain in drug war

MANILA, Philippines - At least 10 persons were killed in drug-related attacks and anti-drug police operations in Metro Manila since Thursday.

Among the victims is Christian Bulagner, 17, who was chased down and shot dead by an unidentified motorcycle-riding assailant in Quezon City Thursday night.

Bulagner was with his friends in front of a store along Samat street in Barangay Holy Spirit when an armed man on a motorcycle chased down their group at around 10:15 p.m., probers said.

A sachet said to contain shabu was recovered by police at the crime scene. However, Superintendent Lito Patay, Batasan police station commander, said the victim was not included in the station’s drug watchlist.

Bulagner’s killing is the 233rd case to be added to the Quezon City Police District’s death under investigation list.

Also in Quezon City, two suspects were killed while five others were arrested during a sting on Thursday afternoon.

Two men identified only as “Kosa” and “Totoy” were killed in an alleged shootout with Batasan police officers at the former’s house, reportedly used as a drug den, on Bulacan street in Barangay Payatas at around 1:15 p.m.

Len Villanueva, alias Ate, 37; Jonathan Velasco, 27; Analyn Ollodo, 41; Christopher Diaz, alias Buboy, 36; and Louie Original, 29,  were caught in a pot session at the house.

In Caloocan, four suspected pushers were killed while six others were arrested in separate police operations Thursday night.

Police officers from the Northern Police District, led by Superintendent Ali Duterte, raided a house occupied by Michael Bang-as and Carlito Grande along Sampaguita street in Tala shortly before 9 p.m. after conducting a successful test buy.

The police had received a tip that Bang-as, who is the subject of an arrest warrant for attempted homicide, was in the house.

When the two men were cornered, they allegedly shot Police Officer 2 Arnel de Guzman, who was wearing a bulletproof vest.

Bang-as and Grande died at the scene after police officers retaliated. 

Probers recovered two.38 caliber revolvers, several sachets of shabu and drug paraphernalia.

Felipe Panis, Sammy Balagtas, Dennis Zulueta, Edison Ebale, Rodolfo Medina and a 15-year old boy were arrested in the follow-up operation.

Two hours later, another alleged shootout occurred between lawmen and Arthur Ancheta and Allan Chico in a house on Cebu Alley in Barangay 153, Bagong Barrio.

Police recovered a 9mm pistol, a .22 caliber revolver and two sachets of shabu from the scene.

Three more drug suspects were killed in anti-drug operations in Las Piñas, Pasay and Pateros yesterday morning.

Niko Topacio was killed after he allegedly shot it out with the Las Piñas police officers in Barangay Ilaya, Southern Police District (SPD) director Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario said.

Jayson Reuyan was killed after he allegedly resisted arrest and fought back during anti-drug operation in Pasay City at around 1:45 a.m. yesterday, Apolinario said.

A sachet of shabu and drug paraphernalia were seized from Reuyan. 

Enrique Copia reportedly shot at police officers during a sting in Barangay Sta. Ana, Pateros, Apolinario said.

Copia was known as a drug peddler and his name is on the town’s drug watchlist, he added. – Romina Cabrera, Rey Galupo, Robertzon Ramirez