7 more drug-related deaths reported in Pasig, Parañaque

SEVEN drug suspects were killed in the cities of Pasig and Parañaque from Wednesday afternoon until yesterday morning, five of them by unidentified armed men.

Two of the fatalities were gunned down in Pasig City by members of the Eastern Police District’s Special Operation Unit and Anti-Illegal Drugs led by Chief Inspectors Regie Lacsamana and Allan Miparanum.

Based on an initial police investigation, Maxie Galita—an alleged drug pusher included in the watch list of Barangay Pinagbuhatan—and a still unidentified man were selling drugs to SPO2 Luis Fortuno, an undercover policeman, at the corner of Mahogany Street and Asilo Avenue at 5:20 p.m. Wednesday.

The suspects, however, sensed that they were transacting with a policeman, probers said. A shoot-out ensued, leaving Galita and his companion wounded. They were immediately rushed to Pasig City General Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Recovered from them were three sachets of suspected “shabu” (methamphetamine hydrochloride), drug paraphernalia, two .38-cal. revolvers and four cartridges.

Five hours later, three individuals were gunned down separately in Barangay Rosario, also in Pasig City.

According to the report of case investigator SPO1 Rex Baygar, Ferdinand Guspid and Rolando Abandia Jr. were inside the former’s house on Rose Street, Jabson Site when four armed men shot them.

Police said the house of Guspid had been reported to be a drug den while both victims were also on the barangay’s drug watch list.

Alleged drug user and runner

Meanwhile, a man seated on the sidewalk at the corner of Ortigas Avenue Extension and Dr. Sixto Antonio Avenue in Barangay Rosario, also in Pasig City, was gunned down at 10:20 p.m. Wednesday.

Case investigator SPO1 Al Alvarez said in his report that Patola Enano was with two companions when he was shot several times by unidentified suspects.

Enano was also on the barangay watch list as a drug user and runner, the police added.

In Parañaque City, two suspected drug pushers were shot dead inside a bar on Thursday.

Police identified the fatalities as Jeffrey dela Cruz and Ruding Tahir, both known drug personalities in Barangay Baclaran.

The victims were inside Joyukis Bar on Airport Road at 2:30 a.m. when they were shot in the head by still unidentified suspects.

Police recovered a still undetermined amount of shabu from Dela Cruz and Tahir although Parañaque police chief, Senior Supt. Jose Carumba, said the evidence may have been planted.

He told the INQUIRER that some people may have tampered with the crime scene before the police arrived at the bar.