4 killed, 1 arrested in drug war
At least three persons were killed in what police said were attacks related to the illegal drug trade in Metro Manila since Wednesday.
One more was killed and another arrested in police operations.
In Caloocan City, Rene Pabriko, 28, and his partner were sleeping on the sidewalk when an assailant shot him at around 12:30 a.m. yesterday.
About an hour later, Yakki Mark Cruz, 22, and his cousin Raymond Bajotrao, 22, were drinking in their house on Gen. Terona street, Barangay 138, Bagong Barrio when a masked assailant barged in and shot at them.
Cruz died at the scene from several gunshot wounds while Bajotrao was hit in the foot.
Chief Inspector Ilustre Mendoza, Caloocan police investigation chief, said they are looking at illegal drugs as among the motives for the killings.
In Manila, mechanic and former barangay watchman Ronnie Borbon Gimoro, 40, was shot dead by two of four motorcycle-riding assailants along West Zamora street near Quirino Avenue just before midnight Wednesday.
Gimoro was drinking with friends at a birthday party when he was attacked.
Seven bullet casings and two sachets said to contain shabu were recovered from the crime scene.
Gimoro’s sister told police he surrendered to authorities during Oplan Tokhang.
Also in Manila, Venie Beniga, 31, was killed in an alleged shootout with police officers along the railroad tracks on Pilar street in Tondo at around 12:20 p.m. last Wednesday.
A gun that Beniga allegedly used, nine bullet casings and a black pouch with eight sachets of shabu were recovered from the crime scene.
Beniga’s partner said he was a member of the Sputnik Gang and was detained at the Malabon City Jail on charges of robbery and illegal possession of firearms.
Hiding in ABS-CBN
Meanwhile, a man was caught with a sachet of suspected shabu hidden in his underwear after he tried to hide in the ABS-CBN compound in Quezon City on Wednesday.
Michael Lorica, 25, said to be a member of the Bahala Na Gang, was initially apprehended for playing with a fan knife, violating City Ordinance 5121, along EDSA near Quezon Avenue in Barangay Pinyahan at around 5 p.m.
When Lorica was about to be handcuffed, he reportedly shoved the apprehending officer and ran towards the ABS-CBN compound along Mother Ignacia street.
He was caught with help from the compound’s security guards.
He faces charges of possession of illegal drugs, resisting arrest and disobedience to a lawful order and violating a city ordinance.
The suspect is being held at the Kamuning police station.