5 drug, kidnap suspects slain in shootouts

MANILA, Philippines — Five suspected drug pushers and kidnappers were killed in alleged shootouts in Pasay and Parañaque since Friday night.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Debold Sinas said that two of the drug suspects were killed in a clash with a team of operatives from the National Capital Region Police Office and PNP Drug Enforcement Group along C-5 Extension in Barangay 201, Pasay at around 3:01 a.m. yesterday.

Quoting a police report, Sinas told reporters in a text message that suspects Sekan Unotan and Zuharto Sanday negotiated with an undercover police officer to sell a kilo of shabu for P1.5 million.

The suspects reportedly sourced their supply from Chinese nationals and their Filipino contacts, according to Sinas.

“The suspects (were) well-known distributors of illegal drugs within NCR and other nearby regions,” he said.

The two men reportedly fought back when they sensed it was an entrapment. There were no casualties on the police’s side.

Around seven kilos of shabu valued at P47.6 million, placed in tea bags, and two handguns of unknown caliber were recovered from the suspects. Police also confiscated a sport utility vehicle the suspects used during the transaction.

Around five kilos of shabu in tea bags, valued at P34 million, were recovered from Richard Abusama, who was killed in a shootout during a drug sting in Barangay Sun Valley, Parañaque at around 11:25 p.m. on Saturday.

Police also recovered a firearm of unknown caliber, a hatchback sedan and P1.5 million marked money from the suspect.

Also in Parañaque, kidnap suspect Jobert Ganares and his unidentified companion were killed in an alleged shootout in Barangay San Dionisio at around 10:10 p.m. on Friday night.

Ganares and his companion allegedly fought back when agents of the Anti-Kidnapping Group (AKG) were about to arrest them along Carlos P. Garcia Avenue Extension.

Ganares died at the scene while his companion was declared dead on arrival at the Olivarez General Hospital, AKG director Brig. Gen. Jonnel Estomo said in a report.

Ganares reportedly acted as a “spotter” and “security” during the kidnapping of James Elijah Yap in Barangay Mariana, Quezon City on Dec. 31, 2020, Estomo said.

Police recovered two .45 caliber pistols and a motorcycle from the suspects.