7 drug suspects gunned down in MM

At least seven suspected drug personalities were killed in separate incidents in Metro Manila in the past two days.

Four of the drug suspects known only as Totoy, Cris, Bok and Tonton were slain in reported shootouts during stings in Quezon City.

Bok and Tonton were killed after they allegedly engaged members of the Batasan police in a gunfight at a house along AFP Road in Barangay Holy Spirit at around 9 p. m. on Saturday.

Prior to the encounter, police said they were able to buy P1,500 worth of shabu from Arthuro Cruz, 54.

Tonton and Bok, who reportedly acted as Cruz’s cohorts, allegedly opened fire at police when they noticed they were dealing with lawmen.

Cruz, the target of the operation, managed to flee.

Tonton and Bok were taken to the East Avenue Medical Center where they were pronounced dead on arrival from gunshots to the heads and bodies.

Police said they recovered at the scene two .45- caliber pistols with defaced serial numbers, two sachets of shabu, a weighing scale, drug paraphernalia and the marked money.

Totoy and Cris were gunned down in a drug sting at Biglang Awa Compound in Barangay Bagbag at past 3 a.m. yesterday.

They died while being treated at the Novaliches District Hospital.

Police said they recovered a .357-caliber revolver and a 9mm pistol at the scene.

Probers said they seized a sachet of shabu and P6,000 in cash from Totoy. Cris allegedly yielded 10 sachets of shabu.

In Pasig City, an alleged drug surrenderee was shot dead yesterday.

Joland Camarao, 35, died at the scene from a gunshot to the head.

Camarao had turned himself in to police under Oplan Tokhang in July and enrolled in a course at the Technical Education, Skills and Development Authority, Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, director of the Eastern Police District, said.

Investigation showed that Camarao was standing in front of a store along Phase 3, Villa Monique Compound in Barangay Pinagbuhatan when an unidentified assailant fired at him.

Storeowner Rose de Vera told police that she was preparing lunch when she heard a gunshot at past 11 a.m.

When De Vera went out, she saw Camarao bloodied on the ground.

Members of the Police Community Precinct 8 said they recovered a spent shell from an unknown firearm at the scene.

In Las Piñas City, a suspected drug user was shot dead by police after he reportedly stabbed his partner.

The fatality, known only as Ricky, was seen by police officers on patrol quarreling with his partner, Rose Ann Dismari, along AlabangZapote Road in Barangay Almanza Uno at around 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario, Southern Police District director, said Ricky was violent and appeared to be high on drugs.

When policemen tried to pacify Ricky, the suspect pulled out a knife and stabbed Dismari.

Apolinario said Ricky tried to attack the lawmen, prompting them to fire at him.

Police said Ricky died from gunshots to the body.

In Caloocan, a 17-year-old boy was killed during an antidrug operation yesterday.

Police identified the fatality as Hideyoshi Kawata.

Prior to this, police said they set up an operation against Emilio Bolanin along P. Gomez street in Barangay 154, Bagong Barrio after receiving information that he was allegedly involved in drug deals.

Members of the Police Community Precinct 1 led by PO3 Carlo Hernandez raided Bolanin’s house after a test buy against him turned out positive.

Bolanin, however, sensed the presence of the lawmen and ran to the house of Kawata, who was allegedly armed with a handgun, prompting police to fire at him.

Kawata died on the spot. Bolanin eluded arrest.

Probers said they recovered a loaded 9mm pistol and three sachets of shabu from Kawata.