6 suspects, 3 others slain in shootings

MANILA, Philippines - Nine men, six of them crime gang suspects, were killed in separate incidents in Luzon in the past two days.

Randy Lopez, alleged leader of a gun-for-hire syndicate, and two of his unidentified companions shot it out with police operatives serving a search warrant at his residence in Barangay Piel in Baliwag town in Bulacan at around 4:30 a.m. yesterday, said Senior Superintendent Romeo Caramat, Bulacan police acting director.

Bienvenido Salonga, a resident of Purok 2 Barangay Gatbuca in Calumpit, allegedly fired at barangay and police operatives serving a warrant of arrest for carjacking at around 5:45 a.m. also yesterday.

Salonga was a member of a drug ring  whose leader is the most wanted drug personality in Calumpit, police said.

Gilbert Alcantara, 33, was driving his motorcycle in Barangay Pulong Buhangin in Sta. Maria also in Bulacan at around 7:22 p.m. on Tuesday when a man on another fired at him.

Police said the fatality is on the drug watchlist, but did not surrender under Oplan Tokhang last year.

Drug suspect Ericson Castro was found dead along the EPZA diversion road in Barangay Putol in Kawit, Cavite on Tuesday. The victim was handcuffed and his body bore multiple gunshot wounds.

Sergio Manarin was driving his Mitsubishi Adventure along Maharlika Highway when he was shot upon reaching Barangay Poblacion IV in Sto. Tomas, Batangas.

Arnel de Guzman was walking in Sitio Centro, Barangay Bula in Tiaong, Quezon when unidentified men opened fire at around 6:45 a.m.

Lino Arisgado was driving his motorcycle when fired at in Barangay Dalahican in Lucena City.

Police have yet to determine the motives for the attacks.

7 nabbed

Meanwhile, “high-value” drug suspects Kehar Dido, his wife Tayalin and their relative Bai Dido were collared during a raid on their houses in Barangay Pinguiamin in Datu Odin Sinsuat in Maguindanao early yesterday.

Police said the suspects are on the drug watchlist in the town.

Sachets of shabu, a caliber .45 pistol and mobile phones were allegedly recovered from the suspects.

Oscar de los Reyes, 51, and Maximo Pecana, 42, were arrested in stings in Barangay Gahonon in Daet and Gumaus in Paracale in Camarines Norte, respectively.

Joey Avilar Jr. and Alvin Patawaran were collared in an anti-drug operation in Barangay Sto. Rosario in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Police said the suspects yielded more than 50 grams of shabu. – Ramon Efren Lazaro, Ric Sapnu, John Unson, Francis Elevado, Ed Amoroso, Emmanuel Tupas