Top Isabela, Pampanga drug suspects slain

TUGUEGARAO CITY, Philippines – The top drug suspects in the towns of Isabela and Pampanga have been killed in gun attacks.

Jefferson Basa was in a tricycle when unidentified motorcycle-riding men fired at him in Barangay San Andres in Cabatuan, Isabela at dawn yesterday, said Senior Inspector Noriel Lacangan, Cabatuan police chief.

Lacangan said Basa was the second most wanted drug personality in Aurora town.

Basa was pronounced dead on arrival in a hospital. Four bullet shells for a .45-caliber pistol were recovered at the scene.

In Arayat, Pampanga, Enrique Mendiola, 40, was about to ride a tricycle at Plaza Luma when he was shot dead by two men on a motorcycle.

Arayat Mayor Bon Alejandrino said Mendiola was a known drug pusher in the town and a suspect  in last week’s killing of a certain Joel Garcia, another drug personality.

Alejandrino said the killing of Mendiola could be perpetrated by vigilantes, but cited reports that those involved in illegal drugs are fighting with each other for fear of the tough anti-drug stance of the incoming administration.

President-elect Rodrigo Duterte had promised to eradicate the drug menace within three to six months.

More arrests

Meanwhile, a person ranked fourth on the list of drug personalities in Zamboanga City, and his wife were arrested in a sting on Thursday.

Alnazer Madji Abduhari, alias Tatoo, and his wife Khaterin Alam Padilla were collared in Barangay Kampong Islam, said Chief Inspector Hingming Ladjaali.

Several sachets of suspected shabu, drug paraphernalia, P200 in cash and a notebook containing the list of drug personalities were recovered from the suspects.