3 dead in separate Manila drug stings

Three men allegedly involved in the illegal drugs trade were gunned down in separate operations in Manila.

In Sta. Cruz district, Wilfredo Halili, 47, died when he reportedly engaged an undercover policeman in a shootout during a drug bust launched inside a shanty along a railroad track on Antipolo Street about 4:40 p.m. Monday.

Initial investigation showed that Halili sensed that he was being entrapped when he saw traces of “colored powder” in his hands after the undercover agent from Manila Police District (MPD) Station 3 handed his payment.

Halili immediately pulled out his gun and shot the police officer but missed, prompting the latter to retaliate, hitting Halili in the chest.

The suspect was brought to Ospital ng Tondo where he eventually succumbed to his gunshot wound. Police recovered from the operation a sachet of suspected shabu and the 1500 marked money.

Shorty after midnight yesterday, a certain Reynaldo Dela Cruz and Archie Cailan, around 35 years old, were both killed in a gun battle with the operatives of MPD Station 10 in Pandacan.

Initial investigation showed that Dela Cruz fired shots toward his customer along Beata Street about 12:30 a.m. when he sensed that he was dealing with a police officer.

The undercover policeman retaliated and fatally shot Dela Cruz. Meanwhile, Cailan suddenly appeared and shouted “Sabayan na lang tayo!” but other members of the police team were able to shot him. The suspects died instantly, police said.

Authorities recovered from the crime scene the suspects’ loaded gun and four sachets of suspected shabu.

Follow-up investigations on the incidents are still being conducted, police said.