Alleged vigilante falls in Taguig

MANILA, Philippines -  An alleged vigilante in the southern part of Metro Manila was nabbed in an operation of the Taguig City police station Wednesday night, an official said yesterday.

Allan Moreno, 34, was arrested shortly after he reportedly gunned down Rolando Rico, 42, alleged to have links to the illegal drug trade, said Chief Superintendent Tomas Apolinario, Southern Police District (SPD) director.

Prior to Moreno’s arrest, the Taguig police received a call regarding a shooting at past 11:30 p.m. at Purok 7, PNR Site, Apolinario said.

Police officers saw Rico’s body, with several gunshot wounds, lying on the pavement.

They launched a follow-up operation and found Moreno in his house at the FTI Compound. The lawmen reported seizing illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia from his possession.

Witnesses linked Moreno to the murders of drug suspects and probers believe him to be behind a killing spree in the southern part of Metro Manila.

Apolinario said Moreno’s arrest “disproves the notion” that police officers are responsible for “deaths under investigation.”

However, he said they will still check records to determine if Moreno is involved in killings in other districts in Metro Manila.

He said that Moreno and Rico are known drug suspects in Taguig and in the nearby cities in Metro Manila. They were also in the SPD’s drug watchlist.