3 drug detainees die in Pasay jail

MANILA, Philippines — Three drug detainees of the Pasay City police died due to possible jail congestion on Thursday night.

Noel Corillo Albetia, 36; Edwin Ortillana Moreno, 25, and Felix Manlangit Yusores Jr., 33, were declared dead on arrival at the Pasay City General Hospital.

They were found unconscious in their detention cell at around 8:35 p.m., according to Police Officer 3 Angelita Aguila.

Probers said they have yet to determine what caused the inmates’ death.

Police said the detainees were held on drug charges.

Authorities said 84 detainees are being held at the Pasay police jail, which can accommodate only 30 persons.

2 drug suspects slain

In Manila, two suspected drug pushers were killed in an alleged encounter with police during a sting in Sta. Cruz on Thursday night.

Police identified the fatalities as Anthony Libanto, 30, and Renante Jorolan, 55.

Police Officer 1 Mark Jowie Reyes, who posed as a buyer, said he was able to transact a drug deal with Libanto at a house at the corner of Quiricada and Ipil streets at around 7:45 p.m.

Libanto and Jorolan allegedly opened fire at police who retaliated, killing the suspects at the scene.

Probers said they recovered eight sachets of shabu and two .38-caliber handguns from the suspects.

In eastern Metro Manila, seven  suspected drug dealers were arrested in separate operations since Thursday.

Stephen de Castro, Alvin Conde and Jessie Lomanta were nabbed for allegedly selling a sachet of shabu to a policeman who posed as a buyer in Barangay Kalawaan in Pasig, according to Eastern Police District  director Chief Superintendent Bernabe Balba.

Police said they recovered five sachets of shabu and P500 in marked money from the suspects.

In Marikina, police nabbed Anjomel Balictar, 18; Axel Tural, 25, and NJ Manaois, 28, in a drug sting in Barangay Tumana.

Balictar and Tural allegedly yielded 22 sachets of shabu and P300 in marked money.

Alleged drug pusher Daniel Glorioso, 30, was collared in a sting in Barangay West Crame in San Juan City.

Police said three sachets of shabu were found in Glorioso’s possession.

The suspects are being held by police on charges of violating Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act.