7 drug suspects slain

MANILA, Philippines - Two alleged leaders of drug rings and five other drug suspects were killed in separate incidents across the country in the past two days.

An alias Regie and a certain Gieboy reportedly shot it out with anti-drug operatives in Barangay Atlag, Malolos, Bulacan yesterday.

Jasper Payoyo and Jose Laron Jr. were shot by unidentified men who barged into their houses in Barangay Malis, Guiguinto and Banga 2nd, Plaridel, respectively, on Thursday.

Police said the fatalities were known drug pushers in their areas.

Jan Faus Andres, 38, was driving his motorcycle near the Holy Spirit Academy in Barangay 15 San Guillermo, Laoag, Ilocos Norte when he was shot at around 4:45 p.m. also on Thursday. He was pronounced dead on arrival at the Gov. Roque Ablan Sr. Memorial Hospital. 

The fatality was ranked second on the drug watchlist of the city and fourth in the province.

Jorge Fajardo and his unidentified bodyguard were about to enter their car parked near a cockpit in Barangay Tubigan, Biñan, Laguna when they were shot at close range at around 4:30 a.m. yesterday.

Police said Fajardo was the leader of a gang involved in contract killing and illegal drugs.

In Misamis Oriental, Jabbar Sangcopan, alleged leader of a drug ring operating in the Caraga region and Cagayan de Oro, reportedly drew his gun when anti-narcotics agents served a search warrant at his residence in Barangay Kauswagan in Opol town on Thursday. At least P1 million worth of shabu were reportedly recovered from the two houses owned by the fatality. 

Lexi, one of Sangcopan’s children, denied claims that his father drew his gun, saying anti-drug operatives entered the room of her parents and asked them to leave. After a few seconds, she said they heard gunshots.

P.5-M shabu seized from teener

Meanwhile, a person, who claimed he is only 15 years old, reportedly yielded 75 grams of shabu with an estimated street value of P562,500 during a sting in Barangay Lawaan, Roxas, Capiz yesterday.

The teenager was reportedly asked by his brother, who was the subject of the operation, to deliver 15 sachets of shabu to a policeman who posed as a buyer. 

Police also recovered P1,000 in marked money, P700 in cash and weighing scale from the suspects.

Cristopher Prado, 42, village councilman of Guibang, Gamu, Isabela, was among those arrested in stings on Thursday. He is ranked 11th on the list of drug personalities of the police and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Cagayan Valley.