4 dead in drug shootings

MANILA, Philippines — Four people were killed in separate shootings, reportedly related to the illegal drug trade, in Quezon City and Navotas on Wednesday.

The Quezon City Police District said motorcycle-riding assailants shot at the house of Lloyd Herbert Aguhay, 29, on Ninada street in Barangay Commonwealth at around 6 p.m.

Aguhay; his neighbor Juvie Largo, 28, and an unidentified man were killed in the attack.

Largo and Aguhay were reported to be on the barangay’s drug watchlist, said Lt. Col. Romulus Gadaoni.

Initial reports indicate Aguhay posted bail on drug charges this month and his house was allegedly used as a drug den, Gadaoni said.

Police officers investigating the shooting recovered drug paraphernalia at Aguhay’s house, he added.

A witness told police he was watching television with Aguhay when they heard gunshots. Agujay went out to check, then rushed to the bathroom, where the witness saw the victim had been shot.

Aguhay was declared dead on arrival at the Fairview General Hospital.

Largo and the third victim died at the scene, where 11 bullet casings and fragments were recovered.

Slain beside sleeping family

In Navotas, an assailant wearing a bonnet barged into the shanty of construction worker Rhyan Cuarteros, 32, and killed him in front of his partner and children at past midnight on Dec. 25.

Cuarteros and Jonalyn Tenso had just eaten their noche buena or Christmas Eve dinner and slept early when the assailant attacked.

“He didn’t even let us celebrate Christmas. He took him from our life on Christmas,” a grieving Tenso said during the wake.

Cuarteros was only in his underwear when the attack happened. Tenso and their daughters, aged five and 11, were sleeping.

The assailant tried but failed to drag Cuarteros outside the shanty, but Tenso held on and the family’s three pet dogs barked at the killer.

The assailant shot Cuarteros in the side and shoulder, Tenso said. The victim ended up on the bed, bleeding on his 11-year-old stepdaughter.

Cuarteros’ five-year-old daughter hugged him as he lay dying in their home, Tenso said.

The girl now cries before sleeping since her father’s death, always muttering the word “dugo (blood),” Tenso said.

Mistaken identity

Tenso said her partner, a hard-working father who uses his bicycle to go to and from the construction site, told the assailant he “did nothing wrong. I’m not selling drugs.”

She suspects her partner was a victim of mistaken identity, as the assailant was looking for a drug peddler when he barged into their shanty.

She said the assailant, a heavily built man with a beard, had three companions serving as lookouts outside the shanty.

Her 15-year-old son chased the assailant, who shot at him but missed.

On Christmas Day, she washed her partner’s bicycle that was stained with his blood.

Caloocan Bishop Pablo Virgilio David lamented the latest extrajudicial killing in his area.

“Silent night? Horrible night. Sorry to spoil your Christmas, but the masked killers don’t take a day off, not even during Christmas,” David said on Facebook.

He asked for prayers for the loved ones Cuarteros left behind.

“Even as you enjoy Christmas with your family, please whisper a silent prayer of consolation and hope to the Baby Jesus of Bethlehem for Ryan’s family. May God hear our prayers for an end to this senseless violence!” he added.

Navotas police chief investigator Lt. Gener Sanchez said they are still investigating the mistaken identity angle in Cuarteros’ murder.– With Marc Jayson Cayabyab