Man falls to death in escape try

MANILA, Philippines - A 27-year-old man fell from the third floor of a condominium building while trying to escape arrest during an anti-drug operation in Sampaloc, Manila Thursday night.

Jonathan Ganuelas, a part-time mechanic, died yesterday at the Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center (JRMMC).

In his report to Manila Police District director Chief Superintendent Rodolfo Magtibay, Sampaloc police station chief Superintendent Frumencio Bernal III said at around 3 p.m. he received a call from an informant about an ongoing pot session at Room 301 of the Del Mundo Mansion along Calamba street.

The station’s anti-drug operatives rushed to the building and arrested Michael Magabihis, 25, and Johnson Garcia, 33. Police recovered two unsealed plastic sachets with traces of suspected shabu, three pieces of aluminum foil, a disposable lighter and other drug paraphernalia from the room.

Bernal said that when his men barged into the room Magabihis tried to close the door while shouting to his companions that there were policemen around. Witnesses saw Ganuelas fall from the third floor.

Bernal said appropriate charges are being readied against the two suspects.   – Nestor Etolle