8 drug suspects slain in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - At least eight suspected drug pushers and users were killed in Metro Manila over the past two days.

Among those shot dead were a murder suspect and a man accused of robbing and raping a woman in front of her child.

Michael dela Cruz was shot dead after he reportedly shot at police officers serving him an arrest warrant for murder at Albay Alley on Intan street in Bagong Barrio, Caloocan City at past midnight Wednesday.

Police officers recovered a .38 caliber revolver and a hand grenade from the suspect, who was in the Northern Police District’s drug watchlist.

At around the same time, police officers killed Elmer Reyes Galang in an alleged shootout in Pinalagad in Barangay Malinta, Valenzuela City.

The lawmen were responding to a complaint filed by a woman that Galang robbed and raped her in front of her child.

At around 1:30 a.m. yesterday, unidentified assailants shot dead Gerald Calma, 37, along Quezon street, 6th Avenue in Barangay 125. 

The victim’s father told probers his son was in the barangay drug watchlist.

In Manila, four alleged pushers were killed and a woman was arrested in a series of raids over the past two days.

Police officers shot dead Nelson Vinas during a raid on his house in Sampaloc at past 4 p.m. after receiving a tip that a drug deal was taking place. 

A woman who was in Vinas’ house when the alleged shootout occurred was also arrested.

Around 12:30 a.m. yesterday, police officers killed Winaldo Durion, 38, and Bryan Yungot, 34, in a botched drug sting in Tondo. A certain “Emil” managed to escape.

Manila Police District (MPD) Station 1 commander Superintendent Robert Domingo said both suspects had been under surveillance for illegal drug activities.

At around 1:40 a.m., police officers, on orders of MPD Station 2 commander Superintendent Thomas Ibay, tried to arrest a man known in the area as a drug pusher.

The suspect, whose name was not released, was killed in an alleged shootout. Probers recovered a .38 caliber revolver and several sachets of shabu from the suspect.

Meanwhile, more than 100 drug users and pushers surrendered at the MPD headquarters yesterday morning. Most of the surrenderees were from Barangays 100 and 105 in Tondo.

In Pasig City, alleged pusher Enciso Sumulong, 54, died at the scene in Barangay San Joaquin after being shot by unidentified assailants at around 7:40 p.m. Wednesday. 

Sumulong was categorized as a pusher and user in the drug watchlist of Barangay Buting, said Chief Superintendent Romulo Sapitula, Eastern Police District director.