2 dead in Manila, QC shootouts

An alleged robber and a suspected drug pusher were killed in separate encounters with police in Manila and Quezon City, respectively, before dawn yesterday.

Ronnie Asinas and his still unidentified companion, who was driving a motorcycle, allegedly tried to avoid a checkpoint set up along Daang Bakal street at past 3 a.m. after an unnamed woman complained to police officers on patrol that she was robbed by two men on a motorcycle at the corner of Tecson and Jose Abad Santos streets at around 2:52 a.m.

The police officers called Manila Police District Station 7 commander Superintendent Gerry Corpuz, who ordered checkpoints set up along possible escape routes.

Asinas allegedly jumped off the motorcycle and ran towards the railroad tracks while shooting at the police. One of the lawmen shot Asinas, killing him. The suspect driving the motorcycle escaped. Probers recovered a .22 caliber pistol with three bullets, two bullet casings and two sachets of shabu.

In Quezon City, alleged pusher Darwin Conanan was wounded in an alleged shootout during a drug sting at a room in Apartelle Aurora at around 3:40 a.m.

Conanan died while being treated for several gunshot wounds at the Quirino Memorial Medical Center.

Police seized seven sachets of shabu, a Llama .42 caliber pistol, the marked money and the suspect’s personal belongings.

2 hurt in shootings

On the other hand, a policeman and a drug surrenderee were wounded in separate shootings since Saturday.

Police Officer 2 Allan Palaming of the Manila Police District headquarters support unit was at a vulcanizing shop along Rizal Avenue in Caloocan City on Saturday when two men on a motorcycle arrived and demanded, at gunpoint, that he hand over his service firearm.

When Palaming refused, one of the assailants shot him in the upper back and right shoulder. A stray bullet hit Rex Librando, the owner of the vulcanizing shop.

The assailants fled after the incident, taking Palaming’s firearm.

In Malabon City, Edwin Mangahas, 39, who surrendered under Oplan Tokhang, was walking along Acero street in Barangay Tugatog when a still unidentified assailant shot him in the left arm.

Investigators have yet to establish a motive for the attack on Mangahas.