Pasig drug ‘tiangge’ operator found dead

One of the alleged operators of the dismantled shabu "tiangge" in Pasig City was found dead yesterday, apparently "executed" by a vigilante group.

The body of the man identified only as "Boy Idol" was dumped by his killers at a lot of the Mapayapa compound in Barangay Sto. Tomas, which was raided by police last month.

The victim sustained multiple stab wounds in the chest and had strangulation marks.

Senior Superintendent Romeo Abaring, Pasig City police officer-in-charge, said residents pointed to Boy Idol as among those who operated the shabu market in the past.

Abaring said he eluded arrest during the police raid on the Mapayapa compound last Feb. 10 and went into hiding in nearby Barangay Pinagbuhatan, where he continued his drug dealing.

"We were preparing an operation to get him, but the vigilante group beat us to it," Abaring said.

Residents found the body at 6:20 a.m. yesterday. They summoned a barangay security officer Allan Sulaiman, who then reported the find to the local police.

Clad in black pants and a T-shirt, Boy Idol’s body was covered with a piece of cardboard printed with "Ganito ang sasapitin ng lahat ng pushers dito sa Pasig" in bold letters. Below the message was the word "Vigilante."

Responding Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO) said that the victim was dead for at least six hours when found.

Abaring said he could have been killed elsewhere and his body dumped in the area to serve as a warning to other drug pushers involved in the shabu market operation.

At least 300 people were rounded up during the Mapayapa raid conducted by the Anti-Illegal Drugs Special Operations Task Force.

Abaring has ordered an investigation to unmask and bring to court the vigilantes.

"I will not allow groups like that to take the law into their hands," he said.