Probers eye drug turf war in Makati shooting

MANILA, Philippines - The shooting in Barangay Pio del Pilar in Makati City Friday may be part of a drug turf war between two gangs operating at the border of Makati and Pasay.

According to a police officer privy to the investigation, one of those wounded in the attack is Michael Bagang, a brother of Mark Felizardo Bagang, who was killed at a gas station, also in Barangay Pio del Pilar, on May 24, 2014.

Mark, 27, was behind the wheel of his black Toyota Vios (without license plates) at the gas station at the intersection of Evangelista and Arguelles streets when at least three unidentified assailants surrounded his car and shot him repeatedly at around 8:30 a.m.

Police officers recovered at least 100 shells and slugs from a 9mm pistol, a .45 caliber pistol and an M-16 rifle at the crime scene.

Eight sachets of shabu, with a street value of P20,000 each, were recovered from Mark’s car following the shooting, a source said, adding that Mark was about to meet a potential buyer when he was attacked.

Neighbors had described Mark as a “Robin Hood” who was always ready to help.

At past midnight Friday, the victims were drinking beer along Taylo street when five men in a Toyota Innova, which had no license plates, stopped and shot at them, killing 22-year-old Jesus Garcia and wounding Michael and eight others.

Police officers said shells from an M-16 rifle, a 9mm pistol and an AK-47 rifle were recovered at the scene.

On July 22, 2014, at least two unidentified men shot dead used car dealer Rodante Mahinay at a gasoline station in Magallanes. Investigators said they are also checking if the murder was linked to the drug turf war.