Baseco raid: 2 dead; drugs, guns seized

MANILA, Philippines — Two persons died while over 1,000 people were rounded up during a police raid on the Baseco Compound in Tondo, Manila yesterday afternoon.

The Baseco Compound, said to be the “most drug-affected area” in the city, turned into a virtual war zone as police operatives carrying firearms roamed the streets and searched houses.

Police have yet to identify the fatalities described to be between 35 and 40 years old.

Led by Manila Police District (MPD) deputy director for administration Col. Antonio Yarra, the 2,000-strong police contingent gathered at the Quirino Grandstand at around 12 p.m. for pre-operations briefing before proceeding to Baseco Compound.

Prior to the raid, Mayor Isko Moreno ordered the MPD to rid the area of illegal drugs and loose firearms.

Yarra said they divided the compound into 11 sectors and assigned separate police teams to go after drug suspects and wanted persons.

At least 300 individuals were initially accosted and brought to the barangay’s covered court for violating city ordinances.

Members of the Special Mayor’s Reaction Team led by Maj. Rosalino Ibay Jr. guarded the entrance to the compound and ordered the demolition of a barangay post used by barangay watchmen as tollgate for passing tricycles.

Col. Narciso Domingo, MPD deputy director for operations, said three handguns, two grenades, a homemade shotgun and drugs were seized during the operations.