6 suspects slain in drug stings

MANILA, Philippines - Six more drug suspects were killed in anti-drug operations in the past two days.

Jayson Corpuz, a resident of Purok 7, Barangay Parang in Jose Panganiban, Camarines Norte, reportedly drew his gun when he sensed he had sold shabu to undercover agents before dawn yesterday.  Police said the fatality yielded a hand grenade, eight sachets of shabu, P500 in marked money as well as a caliber .38 revolver and ammunition. 

Relan Suruiz was killed in a sting in Barangay Binatagan, Ligao City, Albay also yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Randy Peralta, Batangas police director, said three sachets of shabu weighing 53.8 grams, a caliber .45 pistol and ammunition were recovered from the fatality.

Salvador Marzan Jr., alias Amang, the most wanted drug personality in the Ilocos region, tried to grab the handgun of his escort after his handcuffs were removed when he sought permission to urinate on their way to Camp Diego Silang in San Fernando, La Union yesterday, police said.

Marzan was arrested at around 10 a.m. based on a warrant for murder issued by Regional Trial Court Branch 31 Judge Romeo Atillo. An earlier raid on his house in Barangay Guinabang, Bacnotan, La Union yielded a gun and ammunition.The fatality surrendered under Oplan Tokhang last year, said Chief Inspector Reynaldo Soria, Bacnotan police chief.

Also killed in stings on Sunday were Kenneth Mark Lapuz, 25, alias Pipoy, a resident of Barangay San Roque, Gapan, Nueva Ecija, and an alias Berto of Barangay Ninoy Aquino in Angeles City, Tarlac.

Arnel Garcia reportedly resisted arrest and shot policemen who served a search warrant at his house in Barangay Luna, Batangas City on Sunday. Garcia was on the drug watchlist of the town.

Meanwhile, unidentified men gunned down Franco Ilagan in Barangay Balite 2, Silang; Kewin Cruz in San Franciso, Naic in Cavite; Rufino Comighog, 47, of Santiago 2, San Pablo City, and Ruel Perez of Maahas, Los Baños City, Laguna on Sunday. Police have yet to determine the motives for the killings.

Woman, 71, nabbed

A 71-year-old woman was among those arrested in stings on Sunday.

Pilar Selorio was collared after she reportedly sold shabu worth P1,000 to undercover agents in Barangay Poblacion Ilauod, Zarraga, Iloilo.

When frisked, police said the suspect yielded four more sachets of shabu with an estimated street value of P43,000 and a mobile phone.

Superintendent Ramir Gallardo of the regional drug enforcement unit said Selorio is a newly identified “high-value” drug pusher.

Norberto Sierra, 30, alias Notnot, was arrested after his mother sought police assistance when he threatened to burn their house in Antipolo, Rizal yesterday. Police said the suspect, who was believed to be drunk, yielded a sachet of shabu. – Francis Elevado, Raymund Catindig, Ed Amoroso, Celso Amo, Jun Elias, Non Alquitran, Jennifer Rendon, Ric Sapnu